NZ Warriors beaten by dangerous Panthers
- Dave Worsley
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Warriors had won seven of their past eight matches to sit comfortably in third spot on the NRL ladder but they had no answer to a Panthers side led by Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen going down 28-18.
The round 16 game was in front of a packed out Go Media Stadium, but the crowd were stunned by the defending champions who were missing a number of State of Origin stars
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The Panthers have now posted four wins and a draw in their past six matches to haul themselves from last on the ladder to sixth and they loom as a scary proposition for all those sides aspiring to take their title from them in 2025.
The premiers had 12 players who ran for more than 100 metres, led by Daine Laurie with 178 metres and Moses Leota with 176.
They started the scoring with Thomas Jenkins crossing in the 16th minute only for the Warrriors to reply a few mintues late via Jackson Ford.
It was the visitors who scored next from Scott Sorensen, a few minutes before the halftime break which was 8-6.
Again the Warriors replied as Jacob Laban crossed but Sorensen struck once again before Blaze Talagi and Paul Alamoti crossed in quick succession .
The Warriors scored a late consolation through Moala Graham-Taufa with a couple of minutes spare, but it had otherwise been a game lacking get up and gofrom the home team.
The Warriors suffered a blow through winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak hobbling off with an ankle injury while Marata Niukore failed a HIA early on-
Panthers 28 (Scott Sorensen 2 tries, Thomas Jenkins, Blaize Talagi Paul Alamoti tries; Paul Alamoti 4 goal) Warriors 18 (Jackson Ford, Jacob Laban, Moala Graham-Taufa tries; Luke Metcalf, Adam Pompey 2 goal) . HT: 8-6
