KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Auckland, Sydney or Townsville.
The potential National Rugby League (NRL) playoff destinations are down to three for the New Zealand Warriors on September 7-8 after they remained fourth on the ladder thanks to St George-Illawarra's upset 14-6 win over Parramatta on Monday.
Coach Ivan Cleary's Warriors,
who ensured their first playoff appearance since 2003 with victory over Manly on Sunday, are now in control of their own destiny against a resurgent Penrith in Sydney on Saturday night.
So much hinges on the result against the former wooden spoon favourites who have suddenly scored 74 points in two matches against Newcastle and the Roosters.
A Warriors win means a coveted spot in the top four and a home playoff against whoever finishes fifth - one of Parramatta, the Bulldogs, South Sydney or Brisbane.
But a loss could drop the Warriors as low as seventh, depending on other results, and leave them with a daunting sudden death playoff against second-placed Manly at Brookvale Oval.
Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah has confirmed plans are in place to increase the capacity at Mount Smart Stadium should the Warriors remain in the top four.
Scurrah said they are looking at installing more seats at the northern end of the ground, while he also re-iterated that there is no chance of playing any games at Eden Park.
Three teams sit one point behind the Warriors going into the final round - Parramatta, the Bulldogs and Souths - and all three could leapfrog the Warriors if they lose to Penrith.
North Queensland are assured of finishing third, regardless of their result against the Bulldogs on Friday night.
If the Warriors lose to Penrith and end up sixth on the ladder they face a tough trip to Townsville, although a loss there wouldn't necessarily eliminate them as only the two lowest-ranked losers after the first playoff round drop out.
The Warriors lost their away games against Manly and North Queensland this year, 10-13 at Brookvale in round four and 12-18 at Townsville in round 17.
Such is the logjam for top-eight positions that Parramatta could potentially miss out if they lose to Brisbane on Sunday, although it would need all their rivals to win and Wests Tigers to boost their negative points differential with a big win over strugglers Newcastle.
Having looked likely to claim third place a few weeks ago, the Eels suffered their third straight defeat last night.
The Warriors' playoff permutations are:
* Beat Penrith. Finish: fourth. Playoff: against either Eels, Bulldogs, Souths or Brisbane at Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night, September 7.
* Lose to Penrith, and one of the Eels, Bulldogs or Souths win. Finish: fifth. Playoff: against either the Eels, Bulldogs or Souths in Sydney, Friday night.
* Lose to Penrith, and two of the Eels, Bulldogs or Souths win. Finish: sixth. Playoff: against Cowboys at Townsville, Saturday night.
* Lose to Penrith, Eels beat Brisbane, Bulldogs beat Cowboys, Souths beat Roosters. Finish: seventh. Playoff: against Manly at Brookvale Oval, Saturday night.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
