Penrith Panthers defeat New Zealand Warriors 28-18 to return to top eight

No State of Origin players? No worries for Penrith. With their biggest stars not making the journey across the ditch, the Panthers pulled off a statement victory against the Warriors to return to the top eight.

They say a champion team will always beat a team of champions – the Penrith Panthers have proven to be both for the better part of the last decade.

Yet despite travelling to New Zealand with a team devoid of champions, the Panthers have shown once again that a winning formula will always prevail.

Given their campaign to date however, the Panthers’ shock 28-18 win over the high-flying Warriors may well end up being the biggest upset of season 2025.

Making do without their New South Wales Origin quintet, among them co-captains Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo, the Panthers outlasted and outplayed the Warriors to overturn a four-point deficit into the final half-hour.

A double to back-rower Scott Sorensen and flashes of brilliance from Blaize Talagi led the path to victory with the Panthers suddenly finding themselves entrenched in the NRL’s top eight.

The Warriors’ first loss in a month wasn’t without excuse. Marata Niukore (concussion) was lost to the game after 10 minutes while veteran winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (ankle) failed to make the break after succumbing to an awry Sorensen tackle.

Player of the Year candidate Luke Metcalf also battled throughout the game with an apparent quad injury, which at times hampered the Warriors’ best attacking efforts.

A statement win from the Panthers. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

ALL EYES ON MCLEAN

It was on for young and old 15 minutes deep when Casey McLean squared off with Watene-Zelezniak, causing an all-in ruckus and ultimately blowing a Panthers scoring opportunity in good territory.

What McLean lacked in wile against his experienced counterpart, he sure made up with flash and brilliance throughout his side’s upset win.

Casey McLean ohad some moments of magic for the Panthers. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

A month back from a similar length demotion in reserve grade, McLean is starting to live up to the hype which led to a New Zealand Test debut last year after only seven first grade games.

Showing maturity beyond his 19 years, McLean bounced back from his earlier conflict within minutes, laying on the game’s first try for Thomas Jenkins, before producing a number of try-saving tackles throughout the first stanza.

At a time where his side are desperate to unveil its next crop of talent, McLean has done his stock no harm as Penrith’s shaky five-peat ambitions hang in the balance.

JUSTIFYING FAITH

2029 is a long way away, especially in rugby league terms. Being contracted until then at this point is a reward bestowed to few.

You can understand why the likes of Mitch Moses, Nicho Hynes and Reece Walsh have their futures locked away until then. But eyebrows were raised last month when the Warriors decided to provide the same security to both Leka Halasima and Jacob Laban.

Vindication has followed them since, with the back row duo exploding into form in recent weeks. In just his third game starting, Laban was the Warriors’ best in a try-scoring performance which featured several others try saved.

Originally published as Penrith Panthers defeat New Zealand Warriors 28-18 to return to top eight