Warriors 8
Panthers 24
Not for the first time this season, the New Zealand Warriors will wonder what might have been.
Their season is over, after a 24-8 defeat at the hands of four-time premiers the Penrith Panthers on Saturday night in the NRL elimination final at Mt Smart Stadium.
But the scoreline didn’t really indicate how close this contest was, with the match in the balance until the final 10 minutes.
At times it felt like the Warriors could achieve a franchise-defining win – especially when Leka Halasima’s try dragged them back to 12-8 with almost 30 minutes to play.
But ultimately it came down to small moments – yet again – as Penrith made the most of their opportunities, while the Warriors let themselves down with execution, poor options and some crazy lapses.
Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary produced another masterclass, with so many vital interventions and no one in the Warriors spine could quite match him.
It was a shame, as it felt like this could be the ultimate ambush. The Warriors produced an intensity that hasn’t been apparent for weeks, especially defensively, with some brilliant goal-line defence.
But they couldn’t maintain it and from a 6-2 halftime advantage, Penrith scored three second-half tries to ice their win.
The Panthers are playoffs masters and it showed, with their composure and ability to change gears when it mattered. They have reached five consecutive grand finals since 2020 – winning four – and have only lost two of 16 finals games in that time.
Across that same period, the Warriors had featured in three September matches, with the sole win against Newcastle in 2023.
The Warriors team was revised on game day, with Leka Halasima going to centre, Kurt Capewell restored to the pack and Sam Healey coming on to the bench.
After an early blunder – which produced groans from the crowd – as Tanah Boyd missed touch from their first penalty – the Warriors settled into their work.
Their runs stung and their tackles hit, with a clear signal they were up for it. Penrith were too but the reigning premiers were shaken, with early errors and penalties.
Boyd converted one – a questionable call to take the two points – but the Warriors needed more in the first quarter, with plenty of territory. They had chances.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad couldn’t quite force a loose ball, while Capewell got through but had no one backing up. They were costly moments, as was Cleary catching Adam Pompey out with a short drop-out that skimmed over the sideline.
Once Penrith got some ball, they suffocated the Warriors. Their first try was a masterclass in accumulated pressure. Cleary had trapped the Warriors deep, before winger Brian To’o made ground on the next set.
The decisive move came from a delightful Cleary face ball, which allowed Isaiah Papali’i to bisect three defenders and score.
The Warriors did well not to concede more in the first half, defending three consecutive repeat sets at one point, while Chanel Harris-Tavita managed a stop near the corner.
There was a late chance before the interval – after a Boyd breakout – but Harris-Tavita’s fourth-tackle kick wasn’t precise enough. That felt costly after a poor start to the second half, with Brad Schneider getting across from dummy half in the 46th minute.
There was some doubt, with a suggestion of a double movement, but it was sub-par defence.
Then came Halasima’s moment, as the 19-year-old tyro forced his way over, after clever work from Tanah Boyd and Nicoll-Klokstad on the right edge. That brought the crowd to their feet and they stayed there, as Penrith got a couple of favourable calls.
Penrith were digging deep through, exhibiting all their champion qualities, especially with some unlikely escapes from their own territory, while the Warriors had some vital errors. Their third try – which was the turning point - was a bona fide miracle.
Paul Alamoti somehow contrived to keep the ball in play then get out of his in-goal, before a wicked bounce from a Cleary kick caught out the Warriors’ back three, with Casey McLean finishing off the long-range move.
Halasima’s pass over the sideline – after the Warriors had created space near halfway – felt like the final dagger, before another handling error led to Brian To’o streaking away untouched to end any doubt in the 71st minute.
Warriors 8 (Leka Halasima try; Tanah Boyd con, pen)
Penrith 24 (Isaiah Papali’I, Brad Schneider, Casey McLean, Brian To’o tries; Nathan Cleary 4 cons)
Halftime: 6-2