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Warriors v Panthers: Harris ruled out; Luai, Cole join forces

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With gun playmakers Shaun Johnson and Nathan Cleary both sidelined by injury, the call to arms will go out to their understudies to stand tall on the Magic Round stage. 

Johnson's pectoral injury could not have come at a worse time for a Warriors side floundering in 14th position and looking a shadow of the high-octane attacking juggernaut that took the NRL by storm in 2023.

The loss of Cleary is certainly a blow for Penrith but the premiers have a knack of dealing with adversity and still finding a way to win games without their main man.

Currently sitting second on the ladder, the Panthers have manufactured three of their seven victories with Cleary out of the side and they'll need to manage without him for the next eight weeks after scans confirmed a Grade 2 hamstring tear.

The Warriors have lost four in a row since a draw against Manly in Round 6 and must turn things around quickly before their season slips away completely.

After downing the Dragons in the inaugural Magic Round in 2019 the Warriors have lost their past three matches at the festival of football so history isn't in their favour as they confront the defending champions.

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Team News

Warriors: Dylan Walker replaces injured captain Tohu Harris (finger) at lock, with Paul Roache joining the interchange. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is the new face at five-eighth amidst a halves crisis for the Warriors, with Taine Tuaupiki joining the side at fullback. Ali Leiataua will play his second NRL game as a replacement for Rocco Berry (hand).

Panthers: Paul Alamoti replaces Taylan May at centre, with Scott Sorensen confirmed to make his return from a knee injury via the bench, alongside another new face in Tyrone Peachey. Jarome Luai will take over at halfback in the absence of Nathan Cleary (hamstring) and youngster Jack Cole comes in at five-eighth. Lindsay Smith starts at prop with Moses Leota moving back to the bench. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
    Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Panthers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
    Centre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
    Centre for Panthers is number 18 Paul Alamoti
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
    Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin
    Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Jarome Luai

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
    Prop for Panthers is number 10 James  Fisher-Harris
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
    Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny
  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
    Prop for Panthers is number 15 Lindsay Smith
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
    2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
  • Lock for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
    Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
    Interchange for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
    Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jacob Laban
    Interchange for Panthers is number 20 Tyrone Peachey
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Paul Roache
    Interchange for Panthers is number 22 Scott Sorensen

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Zyon Maiu'u
    Replacement for Panthers is number 17 Mavrik Geyer

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Warriors have lost their last five games at Suncorp Stadium.
  • The Panthers have won their last eight games against the Warriors.
  • The Warriors have lost their last three Magic Round games.
  • Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored seven tries in his past five games against the Warriors.
  • Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will play his 200th NRL game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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