NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS 28 PENRITH PANTHERS 12
TOM SMITH, Go Media Stadium, Auckland, Friday

A SUSPECTED pectoral injury to Penrith captain Isaah Yeo overshadowed the Warriors’ impressive win over the Panthers, spearheaded by returning half Luke Metcalf. 

Playing his first game since round five, Metcalf scored a brace, assisted another and booted four goals as New Zealand upset the table-topping visitors.

Penrith lost Paul Alamoti to the sin bin then their skipper Yeo to injury as the Warriors established an 18-0 half-time lead. 

Nathan Cleary threatened to inspire a late miracle, but Metcalf’s second put the contest to bed. 

The Panthers only just shaded the Warriors 20-18 back in round 13 thanks to an Alamoti double, but it was a different story on the other side of the Tasman. 

And they’ll fly home fretting over the fitness of their captain Yeo, who went off late in the first half clutching his pec – an injury that could deal a huge blow to Penrith’s premiership hopes. 

The result cements the Kiwi club’s place in the top four, and loosens the Panthers’ grip on top spot with the Roosters breathing down their neck. 

It’s also a fourth defeat in seven games for the men in pink, who confront the Chooks next week. 

A hamstring issue to Te Maire Martin opened the door for Metcalf’s return, while Andrew Webster named former Leeds forward Morgan Gannon on the bench for just his second appearance of the season, but he only got two minutes at the death. 

With Jack Cogger staying at home for the birth of his child, Jack Cole started at stand-off alongside star halfback Cleary, with Blaize Talagi on the bench. 

Casey McLean’s hand complaint brought Izack Tago into centre, and 20-year-old Jaxen Edgar lined up at fullback with Dylan Edwards still sidelined by a shoulder injury. 

Donning a special jersey to celebrate the NRL’s Indigenous Round, the Warriors finished a stirring pre-game ceremony with a haka led by Erin Clark. 

The New Zealanders carried that momentum into the opening exchanges, with their whole-hearted lock forward notching the first points inside five minutes. 

Clark wrong-footed Kiwi team-mate Moses Leota then overpowered Liam Martin from close range to bring the capacity Mount Smart crowd to their feet. 

Metcalf marked his return with a superb try, sending Kurt Capewell through a hole with a short ball, then collecting the return pass to slide over beneath the sticks. 

The forgotten playmaker celebrated by raising his arms and closing his eyes, as if to say ‘remember me?’ 

Referee Gerard Sutton binned Alamoti when a mistimed tackle landed Leka Halasima on his head. 

And Chanel Harris-Tavita took advantage, backing up a brilliant offload from the wrecking ball Halasima. 

The Bunker denied the Warriors on the stroke of half-time, but there was no doubt about Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s four-pointer soon after the restart. 

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak soared for a Metcalf kick, then offloaded for his fullback to do the rest. 

Cleary and Edgar scored to mount a late rally, and if the officials hadn’t spotted Liam Martin offside, it would’ve been a nervous finish for the Aucklanders. 

Instead, Metcalf nabbed his second to make it a return to remember. 

GAMESTAR: Unsighted at NRL level since round five, Warriors half Luke Metcalf scored two tries to steer the Aucklanders to a big upset over premiership fancies Penrith.

GAMEBREAKER: Metcalf sliced open the Panthers’ defence for the second time in the 77th minute to make sure of the Warriors’ win.

MATCHFACTS

WARRIORS
1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
3 Ali Leiataua
4 Leka Halasima
5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
18 Luke Metcalf
8 James Fisher-Harris
9 Wayde Egan
10 Mitch Barnett
11 Kurt Capewell
12 Jacob Laban
13 Erin Clark
Subs
14 Sam Healey
15 Tanner Stowers-Smith
16 Morgan Gannon
17 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
19 Taine Tuaupiki (not used)
23 Adam Pompey (not used)

Tries: Clark (5), Metcalf (12, 77), Harris-Tavita (31), Nicoll-Klokstad (44)
Goals: Metcalf 4/5

PANTHERS
1 Jaxen Edgar
2 Thomas Jenkins
3 Paul Alamoti
4 Izack Tago
5 Brian To’o
18 Jack Cole
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Moses Leota
9 Freddy Lussick
10 Lindsay Smith
11 Isaiah Papali’i
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
Subs
14 Billy Scott (not used)
15 Scott Sorensen
16 Liam Henry
17 Billy Phillips
19 Blaize Talagi (not used)
21 Luron Patea

Tries: Cleary (68), Edgar (71)
Goals: Cleary 2/2
Sin bin: Alamoti (24) – dangerous tackle

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0; 22-0, 22-6, 22-12, 28-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Warriors: Luke Metcalf; Panthers: Nathan Cleary

Penalty count: 5-3
Half-time: 18-0
Referee: Gerard Sutton