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NRL: Wounded Penrith Panthers still dangerous proposition for NZ Warriors
NRL: Wounded Penrith Panthers still dangerous proposition for NZ Warriors

RNZ News

time13 hours ago

  • Sport
  • RNZ News

NRL: Wounded Penrith Panthers still dangerous proposition for NZ Warriors

Penrith celebrate their fourth NRL crown last season. Photo: Photosport Warriors v Panthers Kickoff: 5pm Sunday 21 June Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors fans should not be fooled by the prospect of a depleted and seemingly out-of-form Penrith Panthers side arriving at Go Media Stadium on Saturday. The four-time defending NRL champions have not played in Auckland since 2019 - before their premiership run began - but have so far struggled in their bid for a fifth straight crown, currently languishing one point outside the playoff picture in ninth with five wins, seven losses and a rare draw. A five-game losing streak set them on their heels early and, as recently as four weeks ago, they sat bottom of the table, but back-to-back wins and a bye week have considerably boosted their hopes. "Obviously, it's not where they want it to be, that's pretty clear," Warriors coach Andrew Webster observed. "They normally have more wins on the board, but you can see they're building to something. "They know when to put the foot down and compete at a high level when it matters. I think you'll definitely see them challenge in this competition. "They're a strong club that are very proud and they'll find a way to get back to where they want to be." Coach Ivan Cleary has ruled out his five State of Origin stars for this fixture, lamenting a shortage of flights available to bring son Nathan, captain Isaah Yeo, fullback Dylan Edwards, winger Brian To'o and second-rower Liam Martin from Perth to Auckland with time to sufficiently recover. "The Origin players won't be playing because they can't," Cleary said. "I don't think it's fair that we can't play... we should be able to make that decision. Through flights, we just can't get them there." The Origin window has often been a difficult period for Penrith, but if the Warriors needed a reminder to never underestimate their rivals, it came in July 2017, when they travelled to the foot of the Blue Mountains to face a seemingly impotent line-up without its star-studded halves combination of Nathan Cleary and James Maloney. Instead, the visitors were shredded 36-4 by rookie Jarome Luai, who scored a try double and kicking 6/8 off the tee, for a personal haul of 20 points in just his second first-grade appearance. These days, Luai is also an Origin veteran, but has taken his talents to Wests Tigers. Only Roger Tuivasa-Sheck remains of that Warriors side, but ironically, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, James Fisher-Harris and Wayde Egan of the current squad turned out for Penrith that night. That encounter also somehow fell between the gaps in Webster's career, somewhere between his first stint at Mt Smart and his move to the Panthers, as Ivan Cleary's assistant. "That's a long time ago, I wasn't at either club - I was at the Tigers probably," he recalled. "I was living in Penrith and probably went to the game." Ivan Cleary (right) won't have son Nathan to steer the ship on Saturday. Photo: AAP/ Webster and Cleary have forged a strong relationship over the years, from the time they first hooked up at Wests, then a two-year period together at Penrith. Webster helped the Panthers to the first two titles of their dynasty, before returning across the Tasman to the Warriors with Cleary's recommendation for the top job. This will be their fourth head-to-head meeting, with Cleary ahead 2-1, but the Warriors took the most recent victory at 'Magic Round' in Brisbane last year, when their own revamped line-up shocked the titleholders with a late converted try to fullback Taine Tuaupiki. Webster admitted the significance of meeting his old club and mentor probably wasn't as strong as it once was. "Early on, the first couple of times you do it, you look into it a bit," he said. "Still got some fond memories and some people there I've got a lot of respect for, particularly Ivan, but that's kind of dwindled now. "They're the ex team, and you've got to go out and win. There are two points up for grabs and we're motivated to get better at what we want to do. "I'm just glad that the fans get the champions at our stadium." Ivan Cleary. Photo: Photosport Both teams are coming off a bye week and both have lost coming off their previous byes this season. The Warriors barely fired a shot in the first 40 minutes of a 42-14 defeat to Melbourne Storm in April, while the Panthers dropped a real headscratcher 25-6 against Newcastle Knights three weeks ago. Sitting third on the table, the Warriors produced probably their best performance of the season to vanquish Cronulla Sharks 40-10 two weeks ago, but lost an opportunity to build on any momentum from that outing. "We've got a chance to build on it now," Webster insisted. "It only seems like the other day we played, not like a month ago or six weeks ago. "We've still got an opportunity to build on what we did." The Warriors focused on themselves to start the week, but likely turned their attention towards their opponents nearer to gametime. "Their defence is very aggressive," Webster said. "Their line speed, they go after you, so you've got to make sure you earn your way out of trouble - we've got to have a hard edge about us there. "You have to make sure you have your own backyard in order, earning plenty of momentum with the ball and defending well. "If you start watching everyone and wondering what to do, you start losing focus on yourselves." Meanwhile, Webster has resisted the temptation to name Cleary's youngest son, Jett - born in Auckland during his dad's tenure with the Warriors and now back playing for the club's U21 side - for a surprise NRL debut against his father's team. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

NZ Warriors prop Jackson Ford shelves kicking game in breakout season
NZ Warriors prop Jackson Ford shelves kicking game in breakout season

RNZ News

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • RNZ News

NZ Warriors prop Jackson Ford shelves kicking game in breakout season

Jackson Ford scores one of his two tries against Newcastle Knights. Photo: Warriors v Panthers Kickoff: 5pm Sunday 21 June Go Media Stadium, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors supersub Jackson Ford has promised to put his fledgling kicking game away, as he turns his attention back to the core skills of his new role for the NRL high-flyers. During a campaign that has seen a myriad of changes throughout the Warriors pack, Ford's unerring contribution off the bench has proved a godsend, but every now and then, he's capable of something that shocks even coaches and teammates. Three weeks ago, with his team trailling 12-4 against South Sydney Rabbitohs and time running out in the first half, he dribbled a delicate kick to the tryline that eluded scrambling defenders and his own impeded chase, but sat up for Warriors centre Rocco Berry to score. That audacious act had eyes rolling in the clubhouse. "Don't kick it, Jacko, don't kick it… oh, great kick, Jacko," coach Andrew Webster re-enacted afterwards. "He's carrying on a bit," winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak chuckled. "I thought he was going to kick it to me, but he backed himself and we got a result from it, so good on him." Lock Erin Clark revealed: "He went out with the kickers and catchers [at training] today - it's gone to his head." Ford seems to have heard the whispers and is happy to leave the kicking to those more polished around him. "I think that's one and done for me," he admitted. "Might have worked out all right, but I think I'll put that in the back pocket." Truth be told, the Warriors don't need any extra-curricular exploits from Ford - they've received great value from him already, as he embraces not only a change of position from edge to middle, but also a delayed entry into the contest on the interchange. "We've got so much flexibility with Jacko," Webster said. "He's started plenty of times at back row before, so he knows that role. "He can come off the bench and do a really good job. He plays big minutes and has a big motor, so there's so much flexibility in that." Webster has used that ability as a 'bait and switch' this season, sometimes naming Ford to start in the front row, but dropping him back to bench before kickoff. He was initially handed Mitch Barnett's No 10 jersey against Cronulla Sharks for their last outing, after the co-captain suffered a season-ending injury against Souths, but sure enough, that selection didn't stick. "Some of it has just been through circumstance," Webster admitted. "[Hooker] Sam Healey coming in to start last week and Kurt Capewell moving into the centres just complicates things, then you've got to move things late. "There's a method to the madness, but we know Jacko can do both and he's been outstanding all year." Many players can't adjust egos to a bench role, considering it some kind of demotion, but Ford seems to cherish the job, knowing he will still get starters' minutes with his high workrate. When star front-rowers Barnett (State of Origin) and James Fisher-Harris (suspension) were out against Canberra Raiders last month, Ford had the distinction of leading his team in both running metres (209) and tackles (43) - a feat matched by only three players this season. Rocco Berry scores a try from Jackson Ford's kick against the Rabbitohs. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport His achievement came in just 55 minutes, while the others - Terrell May twice for Wests Tigers, Patrick Carrigan for Brisbane Broncos and Keaon Koloamatangi for South Sydney - needed more. Ford had no idea. "I don't look much into stats, I just put best foot forward for the team and hopefully stats will come off that," he said. "I don't mind if it's starting or coming off the bench, I'm just trying to do the best for the team. "If it's coming off the bench, I just try to bring energy, coming on, and taking that first carry or first tackle. Whatever role it is, I'm happy to take it. "It's always good to come on, after the starters have laid that platform for you and there are a few tired bodies in the middle there. Hopefully, you can take advantage of a bit of fatigue in their legs." If there's one thing he's tried to improve in his game, it's self-belief. "Mentally, if I make an error, I've had a hard time brushing it," he said. "I've just been trying to work on that." In that context, a daring grubber kick here or there is a welcome sign of self-expression - especially if it pays dividends - but are there any other tricks left up his sleeve? "Maybe the long ball to the winger," Ford grinned. "I'll tell Dallin to be ready." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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