Penrith dropped to the foot of the NRL table after a poor display in a 30-12 defeat to New Zealand Warriors.
Penrith started with plenty of possession but weren’t able to crack New Zealand’s defence and were punished when the Warriors scored two quick tries to take control. Issac Luke with the first and Patrick Herbert with the second.
Herbert kicked penalties either side of half-time before Kodi Nikorima scored his first NRL try as a Warrior with a brilliant show, go and step to make the Warriors’ lead 22-0 with 20 minutes to play.
It took 71 minutes for Penrith to cross and it came after lots of pressure finally told when Liam Martin crossed off Dean Whare’s pass.
But some soft defending allowed Agnatius Paasi to drive Panthers defenders 12 metres backwards and fall over the line for a try that added gloss onto the scoreline.
Viliame Kikau’s try with one minute to go was a mere consolation.
Panthers: Edwards, To’o, Whare, Blake, Watene-Zelezniak, Maloney, Cleary, Tamou, Katoa, Grant, Kikau, Fisher-Harris, Martin; Interchanges: Luai, Fuimaono, Leota, Ellis
Tries: Martin, Kikau; Goals: Cleary
Warriors: Tuivasa-Sheck, Fusitu’a, Hiku, Herbert, Maumalo, Nikorima, Green, Paasi, Luke, Ah Mau, Papali’i, Harris, Burr; Interchanges: Tevaga, Afoa, Sao, Lawton
Tries: Luke, Herbert, Nikorima, Paasi; Goals: Herbert 7
Full match reports of all this weekend’s NRL games will feature in Monday’s League Express.
