KEY POINTS:
As the NRL winds into the last of its 25 gruelling rounds, the Warriors' quest for a playoff position is in their own hands.
Win at Penrith on Saturday night and they cannot be overtaken on the competition ladder, and so would host a finals game at Mt Smart.
Lose, and they face the likelihood of playing the second-placed Sea Eagles at Manly or the Cowboys in Townsville.
The other games that matter to them are the Cowboys versus the Bulldogs in Townsville, the Eels against the Broncos at Parramatta and the Rabbitohs versus the Roosters on the neutral ground of Stadium Australia.
The Warriors could lose and hold fourth place provided the Eels, Dogs and Rabbitohs lose too. But defeat at the hands of the last-placed Panthers would not provide the momentum they need nor send the message they are serious grand final contenders.
Planning is under way for a playoff at Mt Smart with the club preparing to increase seating capacity from 26,500 to 29,000 should the team cement its place. That is no given.
The Panthers farewell captain and 12-year veteran Craig Gower who is going to French rugby and prop Joel Clinton who has signed for Brisbane. They have motivation in needing to win to ensure they do not take the wooden spoon.
The Warriors would significantly raise their hopes of making it to week two of the playoffs and could host another two finals games if they do get over the Panthers then keep winning.
The NRL owns the rights to the finals games. The only stadium it has approved for use in Auckland is Mt Smart so a shift to Eden Park or anywhere else is unlikely.
The Warriors record on their home ground is eight wins, four losses; away, it is four wins and six losses plus the draw with the Roosters.
"For us this week is all about preparing for Penrith and trying to beat them," said coach Ivan Cleary. "That's all we need to think about. This game is as challenging for us as any other we've had. The Panthers will find plenty of reasons to fire up this week."
The Warriors will be without centre Jerome Ropati who suffered serious shoulder bruising against Manly. Wairangi Koopu who replaced him after the first quarter of the Manly game takes Ropati's place at right centre. Todd Byrne and Louis Anderson are added to the bench.
Otherwise the team that beat Manly will go to Penrith.
The Panthers also have just the one change, with wing Mark O'Halloran out with injury and Geoff Daniela taking his place on the right flank and former Kangaroo Luke Rooney named on the bench after a long-term neck problem.
A club spokesman said morale in the squad was good despite ructions earlier in the season when player changes were made.
The Panthers felt some affinity with the Warriors given the Polynesian flavour at both clubs and the Kiwis they've had and would like to see them go all the way, he said, but not at the expense of a loss on Saturday.
"The boys want to send Gowie out on a high, we'll be putting on a bit of a show for him."
They are without key player Rhys Wesser at fullback, sidelined with a season-ending foot injury.
Penrith Stadium, 9.30pm Saturday
PANTHERS
1. Jarrod Sammut
2. Geoff Daniela
3. Michael Jennings
4. Maurice Blair
5. Michael Gordon
6. Luke Lewis,
7. Craig Gower (c)
8. Frank Puletua
9. Luke Priddis,
10. Brian Norrie
11. Frank Pritchard
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Nathan Smith
Reserves: Matthew Bell, Matthew Cross, Tony Puletua, Matthew Bell, Paul Aiton, Luke Rooney.
WARRIORS
1. Wade McKinnon
2. Michael Crockett
3. Wairangi Koopu
4. Simon Mannering
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Michael Witt
7. Grant Rovelli
8. Sam Rapira
9. Nathan Fien
10. Steve Price (c)
11. Ruben Wiki
12. Logan Swann
13. Micheal Luck
Reserves: Todd Byrne, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Louis Anderson, George Gatis.
