Leka Halasima of the Warriors celebrates his try with Demitric Vaimauga (L) of the Warriors, One New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers. Photo: Brett Phibbs/www.photosport.nz
Warriors v Panthers
Kick-off: 6:05pm Saturday 13 September
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Warriors are about to undergo one of their toughest tests in their 30-year history.
The four-time reigning premier Panthers have the stats, odds, and history all firmly in their favour, however, after 80 minutes at Mount Smart on Saturday night, only the scoreboard will count.
RNZ runs down the numbers of the sudden death clash.
Snapshot
Head to head- Played 49, Panthers 31 wins, Warriors 17 wins, 1 draw.
Last meeting- 28-18, Panthers.
Betting odds- Panthers $1.35 Warriors $3.20.
Founded- Panthers 1962, Warriors 1995.
Grand finals- Panthers 8, Warriors 2.
Minor Premierships - Panthers 5, Warriors 1.
NRL titles- Panthers 6, Warriors 0.
Wooden spoons- Panthers 4, Warriors 0.
Panthers Coach Ivan Cleary and his son, Panthers No.7 Nathan Cleary. Photo: AAP/www.photosport.nz
Season records
Warriors:
Ladder - Sixth.
Wins - 14.
Draws - 0.
Losses - 10.
Points for - 517.
Points against - 496.
Last game - Loss 27-26 against Manly.
Injury ward - 8.
Panthers:
Ladder - Seventh.
Wins - 13.
Draws - 1.
Losses - 10.
Points for - 576.
Points against - 469.
Last game - Win 40-20 against St George Illawarra.
Injury ward - 1.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Warriors in action. Photo: www.photosport.nz / Jason O'Brien
Season leaders
Warriors:
Top try scorers - Leka Halasima and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 12.
Top point scorer - Luke Metcalf, 117.
Top goal kicker - Luke Metcalf, 42.
Top tackler - Wayde Egan, 816.
Most line breaks - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 15.
All run metres- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 3944.
Post contact metres - Erin Clark, 1396.
Errors - Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 23.
Missed tackles - Kurt Capewell, 104.
Penalties conceded - Jackson Ford, 14.
Panthers:
Top try scorer - Casey McLean, 15.
Top point scorer - Nathan Cleary, 156.
Top goal kicker - Nathan Cleary, 67.
Top tackler - Mitch Kenny, 912.
Most line breaks - Thomas Jenkins, 20.
All run metres - Dylan Edwards, 3828.
Post contact metres - Izack Tago, 965.
Errors - Casey McLean, 26.
Missed tackles - Blaize Talagi, 85.
Penalties conceded - Izack Tago, 14.
Nathan Cleary Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
Team numbers:
Tries - Panthers 99, Warriors 91.
Line-breaks - Panthers 131, Warriors 94.
Tackle busts - Panthers 782, Warriors 728.
Set completion - Panthers 81%, Warriors 82%.
Penalties conceded - Panthers 124, Warriors 121.
Missed tackles - Panthers 843, Warriors 780.
Total tackles - Panthers 9117, Warriors 8579.
Errors - Panthers 272, Warriors 234.
The Warriors face the Panthers at home on Saturday night. Photo: Brett Phibbs
Key stats
The Panthers have won their last 12 finals games.
The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 games against the Warriors.
The Warriors have won three out of four four finals matches in Auckland.
The Warriors have not beaten a top eight team since round 14.
Adam Pompey of the Warriors celebrates his try, NZ Warriors v Parramatta Eels, round 26 of the 2025 Telstra NRL Premiership at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand on Friday 29 August 2025. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
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