NRL 2023: Penrith Panthers off to preliminary final after 32-6 win over New Zealand Warriors
Just 24 hours after the Broncos put 26 points on Melbourne, the Panthers replicated the margin against Warriors, to keep on track for a fourth straight grand final appearance.
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Just 24 hours earlier the Broncos beat Melbourne by 26 points. This time it was Penrith’s turn to replicate the margin in a star-studded showing against the Warriors.
At this rate only injuries could stop the Panthers from becoming the greatest team of the modern era. And even their casualty ward is shrinking with hopes five-eighth Jarome Luai will be right to play in two weeks time with the Panthers now on the brink of a fourth straight grand final and a shot at a three consecutive premierships.
Penrith’s torment of the Warriors on Saturday afternoon came in front of 21,525 fans with the added bonus that they finished the match injury free.
It wasn’t that long ago where going back to back seemed mission impossible. Now the Panthers remain on track to be the first team in three decades to win three in a row.
After a minor blip against the Eels two weeks ago, the Panthers are well and truly the team to beat.
“Last week was a good stepping stone but it wasn’t a finals game,” co-captain Nathan Cleary said. “We had a fair bit of pressure on us. The pressure comes from within ourselves. We know the standards we need to go to. There might be pressure on the outside. We are our harshest critics.
“We have to keep working hard. The performance was a step in the right direction.”
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Despite missing Luai and Izack Tago plus the off-season departures of Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau the Panthers somehow looked a better side compared to last season.
Stephen Crichton is in career best form and so too Liam Martin. Sunia Turuva’s footwork is becoming a must-watch, they have unearthed Lindsay Smith while the likes of Cleary, Isaah Yeo and James Fisher-Harris continue to produce at a high level. Even Tyrone Peachey has wound back the clock.
Having watched the Broncos make a statement 24 hours earlier against the Storm, the Panthers returned serve.
Martin said the Broncos were impressive.
“The game against the Eels was a bit of a wake-up call,” Martin said. “We needed to go back to what worked. The last couple of weeks we have done that.
“They played well on (Friday night). Good luck to them. We need to focus on ourselves.”
Meanwhile, the Warriors are confident Shaun Johnson could have played if this was a do-or-die game after withdrawing because of a calf injury. That moment will come in their next clash when they host the winner of Newcastle and Canberra in New Zealand.
Much of their fortunes will rest on Johnson’s shoulders. Against a brutal Penrith defence, the makeshift halves pairing of Dylan Walker and Te Maire Martin couldn’t kick their side out of trouble.
The Warriors woes were compounded when Tohu Harris was placed on report for a crusher tackle on Luke Garner.
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Originally published as NRL 2023: Penrith Panthers off to preliminary final after 32-6 win over New Zealand Warriors
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