The Penrith Panthers overcame an unusually sloppy start to defeat the New Zealand Warriors 40-6 in what was the Kiwi side’s final appearance at their adopted home of Redcliffe.
“I don’t think we did our best,” admitted reserve coach Cameron Ciraldo in the post-match press conference.
“It’s really hard for the guys. There are 14 guys who know they’re going into the national teams next week so you can’t underestimate how difficult that would have been.
“You have things on your mind. So there were probably a few distractions there.β
One of the few men in Penrith’s side who won’t play next weekend got off to the best start when Dylan Edwards scored a linebreak with one of his first hit-ups of the game.
It was an early warning sign for the Warriors but Moses Leota and then Brian To’o tapped to squander the momentum and gift New Zealand a field position.
More: Where does Dylan Edwards rank among the best full-backs in the game?
Finally, Penrith’s error-strewn start to the game was cut short when Api Koroisau’s sharp work from dummy half sent Leota through a gap. It was the first try of the season for the unannounced prop and only the ninth of his career.
βHe’s a no-thrills front rower who just pushes off the back fence. It’s a well deserved try for him,” Corey Parker said fox league.
A false ball play from Bailey Sironen then gave Penrith another opportunity to attack in the Kiwis half. Nathan Cleary played an inside ball to Edwards, who came through untouched to punish the error thanks to excellent scrum base play.
Edwards with Speed ββto BURNNN π₯#NRLWarriorsPanther pic.twitter.com/N9rCWTphjO
β NRL (@NRL) June 18, 2022
The Warriors received back-to-back penalties to put them within the Panthers’ 20-yard zone, but Sironen’s horror start to the game continued as he dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.
Penrith charged up at the other end through an enterprising right-rim play, but To’o failed to complete the move.
However, fellow winger Taylan May didn’t make the same mistake as he rolled in a ball pass from Cleary before cornering.
Pure POWER πͺ#NRLWarriorsPanther pic.twitter.com/o97Kk76ZcM
β NRL (@NRL) June 18, 2022
The Panthers average just 11 points per game. And the monumental task the Warriors faced in fighting their way back into contention was made even more difficult when Stephen Crichton selflessly sent To’o for a four-pointer early in the second half.
“He’s quite classy,” Cleary said when asked about Crichton.
“I love playing alongside him. Even in his short stint on Origin I, I thought he looked good out there. He looked like an Origin player.”
More: NSW Blues player ratings from the opening game State of Origin
Reece Walsh desperately tried to cheer for his team as the Warriors enjoyed their best ten minutes of the game.
However, Penrith absorbed everything New Zealand could throw at them before countering while Yeo ran straight through the heart of a tiring defense.
“Is there a player more influential than this man, be it in the Panthers or NSW?” Parker asked. “He’s a damn good player.”
The Yeo Show! πͺ#NRLWarriorsPanther pic.twitter.com/ItU6jAayLt
β NRL (@NRL) June 18, 2022
Liam Martin put his name on the scorers’ chart by beating a series of attempted tackles from close range as the Panthers began giving their hapless opponents a cricket score.
Josh Curran called for an attempt at consolation late in the play before To’o had the last word with an acrobatic finish.
“There will be no Cinderella ending to the Warriors time at Redcliffe,” Andrew Voss said in the comment.