James Fisher-Harris and the New Zealand Warriors are preparing to face Nathan Cleary and his reshuffled Penrith Panthers in a do-or-die elimination final at Go Media Stadium. The stakes could not be higher, with one team advancing to the next stage of the finals and the other bowing out of the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership campaign.
The Panthers head into this clash with lingering injury concerns, but they are still expected to run out a full-strength 1-17. The major blow has been the absence of Mitch Kenny, with his hamstring strain proving more disruptive than initially anticipated. While it was thought he might only miss minimal game time, the Panthers confirmed he would not be risked this weekend.
Coach Ivan Cleary addressed the situation, explaining the difficult call: “We took Mitch off at half-time last week as more of a precaution, but he was definitely feeling something. It’s a little bit worse than what we initially thought, but it’s still only a minor strain. But that’s bad enough for him to not be able to play at his absolute best this week, and that’s what we need.”
Kenny’s absence is a significant one for the Panthers, as his stability around the ruck and defensive work has been vital to the team’s success in recent seasons. Cleary acknowledged this, saying: “It’s a fair out because Mitch has been critically important to us for a long period of time. We’re trying to not focus on who’s out but who’s in, and ‘Sommo’ comes in and for two seasons has been good for us every time he’s come in.”
The other difficult decision for the Panthers has been the omission of Tom Jenkins, who just days earlier had been awarded the club’s Members Player of the Year. While fans expected him to feature, Cleary made the tough call to leave him out of the 17. “It’s not a fun part of the job, but it’s one of those things around finals time where you can’t pick everyone,” he said. With Paul Alamoti returning to the wing, Jenkins will have to wait for another opportunity. “Tom is having an amazing year and is one of the best stories of our season, so he’ll be ready when he’s needed.”
For the Warriors, preparation has been equally intense, with changes forced by injury. Rocco Berry has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder issue, leading to a reshuffle in Andrew Webster’s line-up. Kurt Capewell has been shifted into the centres, while rising star Leka Halasima has been given a starting role in the back row.
There was some consideration of moving Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad into the centres and bringing Taine Tuaupiki into the fullback role, but Webster resisted the temptation. With Nathan Cleary’s renowned kicking game a major threat, Nicoll-Klokstad’s reliability under the high ball has been deemed too important. He will be tasked with handling Cleary’s dangerous bombs and ensuring the Warriors maintain field position under pressure.
Capewell’s move into the centres presents a new challenge, as he will be marking up against Penrith’s dynamic backline. Yet, the 32-year-old has built a reputation for being one of the most adaptable players in the competition. His versatility has been a hallmark of his 2025 campaign, and Webster has shown faith in his ability to handle the task.
The switch also opens the door for Halasima to step up. The 19-year-old has been eased into NRL football in short bursts, but now he has a chance to make a statement in one of the biggest matches of his young career. Webster has explained his cautious approach with the teenager, noting that the week-to-week demands of first grade can be tough for a player of his age. Still, Halasima’s potential is undeniable, and against the reigning premiers, he has an opportunity to prove himself.
Alongside these changes, the Warriors receive a boost with Wayde Egan returning from a hip injury and Jackson Ford coming back from suspension. Their availability allows for greater balance in the squad, with Sam Healey making way and Tanner Stowers-Smith moving to the bench.
For both sides, the elimination final promises to be a physical and tactical battle. The Warriors will rely heavily on Fisher-Harris to set the tone up front, while the experienced Nicoll-Klokstad and Tuivasa-Sheck will be pivotal in the backline. For Penrith, Nathan Cleary’s leadership and playmaking will once again be central to their hopes of advancing further in the finals.
The Panthers remain favourites with the bookmakers, carrying shorter odds into the clash, but finals football often delivers surprises. The Warriors will be looking to draw energy from their home crowd, hoping that the passionate Auckland supporters can lift them over the line.
With the squads now confirmed, attention turns to game day. The Warriors’ blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm faces the battle-hardened Panthers, who are no strangers to finals intensity. One thing is certain—by the end of Saturday evening, only one of these two sides will still be alive in the premiership race.
Confirmed Line-Ups
Warriors:
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Adam Pompey
Kurt Capewell
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Chanel Harris-Tavita
Tanah Boyd
James Fisher-Harris
Wayde Egan
Jackson Ford
Leka Halasima
Marata Niukore
Erin Clark
Te Maire Martin
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Demitric Vaimauga
Tanner Stowers-Smith
Taine Tuaupiki
Samuel Healey
Panthers:
Dylan Edwards
Paul Alamoti
Izack Tago
Casey McLean
Brian To’o
Blaize Talagi
Nathan Cleary
Moses Leota
Luke Sommerton
Lindsay Smith
Scott Sorensen
Liam Martin
Isaah Yeo
Brad Schneider
Liam Henry
Isaiah Papali’i
Luke Garner
Thomas Jenkins
Matt Eisenhuth
