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As it happened: The wait is over! Warriors secure spot in NRL playoffs with offensive masterclass against Panthers

August 24, 2018

Relive 1 NEWS NOW's live updates of tonight's NRL clash between the Warriors and Panthers at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland.

FT: WAR 36-16 PEN

THE WAIT IS OVER! Seven years of suffering has finally come to an end for Warriors fans and what a way to do it. One of their best offensive games of the season matched with a defensive that shut down a side renowned for second half performances. If there's one thing Kearney won't be happy with, it'll be the final 10 minutes of both halves where Penrith scored all their points. But that can be worried about tomorrow - tonight is a special night. That's all from us. Po marie!

77min: WAR 36-16 PEN

Warriors playing out the clock here and keeping the Panthers pinned in their half. Smart footy. All but confirmed from here.

75min: WAR 36-16 PEN

Lino finally puts a foot wrong as a limp grubber on the last is easily taken by the Panthers. Still, time is ticking down and the Panthers are in their half.

73min: WAR 36-16 PEN

PEN TRY! The Warriors give up a soft try to Merrin. It cuts the lead to 20 points but there's only seven minutes left. Sure, they're the comeback kings but this MUST be one margin too far - right?

72min: WAR 36-10 PEN

WAR DROPOUT! Cleary runs on the last and finds space. He grubbers through and Kata swats it dead. Warriors go short again but the Panthers claim it.

71min: WAR 36-10 PEN

PEN TRY! The Panthers finally get on the board in the second half as Blake bounces off RTS to score in the left corner.

69min: WAR 36-4 PEN

A rare error from the Warriors tonight as Gavet doesn't take the pop pass from the ruck. Panthers with a scrum 40m from the Warriors' line.

67min: WAR 36-4 PEN

WAR TRY! Kata comes to the party! A great offload by Papali'i sets it up as that gives numbers on the left edge. It's a simple draw and pass from Pulu and Kata shakes off one to score. 

64min: WAR 30-4 PEN

Panthers just can't get it right. They get the ball back on their 30m after the Warriors opt to run on the last tackle but soon after, Peachey knocks it on to give it back. Warriors scrum on Penrith's 40m.

61min: WAR 30-4 PEN

WAR TWO!  ANOTHER penalty as the Panthers are pinged for being offside on their line. Warriors keeping composed and take the free two on offer, which Johnson claims.

59min: WAR 28-4 PEN

And the nightmare continues for Penrith. Warriors get a penalty after kickoff for an illegal strip. The kick for touch gives them a new set 40m from Penrith's line.

56min: WAR 28-4 PEN

WAR TRY! The Warriors extend their lead on a superb run from Johnson. He sells a dummy on halfway and cuts through the Panthers line into the backfield with space to burn. Sprints towards the right corner and has support but backs himself to score. Watene-Zelezniak gets to him and tries to take him into touch 5m from the Panthers' line but Johnson slings an offload back infield to Fusitu'a. He scoops it up and scores a hat-trick. 

54min: WAR 24-4 PEN

Cleary 10m out on the last tackle puts a kick up for Watene-Zelezniak but he can't bring it in inches from the line. Warriors defence holds again.

51min: WAR 24-4 PEN

The Warriors defence holds! Cleary tries a grubber on the second tackle and RTS has read it perfectly and swallowed it up before anything else could happen.

50min: WAR 24-4 PEN

Warriors defence is still holding but they've given up two penalties on their line. Third straight defensive set coming up.

48min: WAR 24-4 PEN

WAR DROPOUT! Cleary grubbers one through on the last 20m out and RTS swats it dead. They go to the short dropout again but it backfires this time as Johnson doesn't move it 10m. Panthers get a free set 10m out.

45min: WAR 24-4 PEN

Panthers get a breather as Lino is penalised for offside. They kick for touch and get a new set on halfway.

43min: WAR 24-4 PEN

WAR TRY! PERFECT START FOR THE WARRIORS! Lino goes high on the last and Penrith can't bring it in 15m from their line. Lino scoops up the loose ball and flings it to Johnson. Johnson sees numbers to the right. Flicks it Harris. Harris flicks to Hiku. Hiku to Fusitu'a and the winger is in on right corner! 

40min: WAR 18-4 PEN

Warriors get it going again. 40 minutes to end seven years of suffering. Can they get it done? 

HT: WAR 18-4 PEN

An electric first 30 minutes from the Warriors has given them a convincing lead but they'll be disappointed by that final 10. Looked out of puff and let the Panthers back in - almost twice. Still, Lino is looking comfortable in the team and the offloads have been on song so far tonight, causing plenty of trouble for the Panthers. The message at half time must be to remain composed in this second half. The Warriors are in the drivers seat but their second halves have been less than great in 2018 - and they're up against a crew renowned for comebacks on a grand scale. Don't go anywhere. We'll be back with the second 40 soon.

40min: WAR 18-4 PEN

The Panthers goe inches within scoring after Cleary makes a break on halfway. He carves four defenders on his way inside the 10m before Kata finally gets there to stop him. 10s left and the Panthers try to recycle it quickly but lose the ball. First half in the books.

37min: WAR 18-4 PEN

PEN TRY! The Panthers finally convert on their third straight 60m+ set and it's with Mansour in the left corner. They grubber with Blake 10m out and it hits Fusitu'a's leg. Bounces back and Mansour kicks it through, chases it and dives on it to score. Signs of life from the comeback kings.

33min: WAR 18-0 PEN

Panthers make some great metres on their set but they can't figure out a play on the last. This time they try a grubber but Maumalo os all over it. Also hearing Dean Whare's night is over with a broken forearm.

30min: WAR 18-0 PEN

Panthers get a penalty early in their first set after the kickoff as the Warriors are too slow releasing. The kick for touch will give them a new set 30m from their own line.

28min: WAR 18-0 PEN

WAR TRY! LINO IS IN UNDER THE POSTS! The stand-in half gives the ball to Mannering 10m out. He offloads it back to Lino who is swamped by Campbell-Gillard but he shakes him off and accelerates through the hole for the posts. He's in. What a start!

26min: WAR 12-0 PEN

Warriors continue their onslaught thanks to an offload by Luke to Johnson on the Warriors 20m after kickoff. Johnson in plenty of space draws and passes to Fusitu'a and Fusitu'a blitzes it down to the Panthers 20m. The whistle blows as we come back for a professional foul. Peachey took Johnson out after he passed the ball so the Warriors will get a new set. The kick for touch means it'll be 20m out from the Panthers' line.

24min: WAR 12-0 PEN

WAR TRY! What a team try! Beautiful hands from everyone involved. Luke fires it from the ruck 15m out to Hiku. He flicks it to Mannering who pops it to Johnson. Johnson skips to Fusitu'a and he finishes it in the right corner. 

21min: WAR 8-0 PEN

Whoops. Miscommunication sees a pass go to noone and the Panthers dive on it.

20min: WAR 8-0 PEN

A fantastic linebreak from Johnson in the middle of the field is sweetened with a penalty. He fended off one to get into the backfield before getting taken down on halfway and being held down for far too long. They kick for touch and it's a new set 30m from Penrith's line.

19min: WAR 8-0 PEN

The defence holds! Penrith try a grubber on the left wing and Blake tries to recover 2m out but it's a knock on! Warriors scrum 5m off their own line.

18min: WAR 8-0 PEN

Warriors defence is still holding but they've given up two penalties - one for offside and one for not releasing. Fourth straight set on defence from 10m out coming up.

16min: WAR 8-0 PEN

Warriors defence is being tested after Cleary's kick is charged down and recovered by the Panthers. Six more from 10m out coming up.

14min: WAR 8-0 PEN

WAR NO TRY! Blair is denied after the Bunker is called in for a chaotic final play. Johnson goes high to the left wing. Maumalo contests. The ball is loose as Cleary can't take it clean. Blair scoops it up 5m out and scores but replays show Kata pushed Cleary without the ball so it's a penalty for obstruction. Panthers kick for touch. New set on their 40m.

13min: WAR 8-0 PEN

The Warriors go to the short dropout again and it's worked! The Panthers contest but the ball is loose. Cleary tries to dive on it but knocks it on. Warriors scrum on their 20m.

12min: WAR 8-0 PEN

WAR DROPOUT! Cleary grubbers one through but RTS is there to collect it in goal. No where to go so he puts the ball down.

11min: WAR 8-0 PEN

Panthers finally get some love from the ref and earn their first penalty after Lino is penalised for a strip. They kick for touch and their new set is 30m from the Warriors line.

9min: WAR 8-0 PEN

Johnson fakes a kick on the last and runs down the right wing. He finds support in Harris. Harris gets an offload to Hiku. Hiku runs it back to the middle of the field and flings a skip pass to Maumalo. Maumalo looks to kick it through 30m out but it hits a Panther and flies into touch. Ref says it's not played at so Panthers finally get the ball. Still, positive start from the home team.

7min: WAR 8-0 PEN

WAR TRY! Too easy. Luke goes 2m short near the posts and Paasi is there at dummy half. He dummies and dives in to score! Warriors off to a sensational start but Penrith's discipline is the real talking point here. coming up to eight minutes into the game and they still haven't touched the ball on attack yet.

5min: WAR 2-0 PEN

ANOTHER penalty against the Panthers! This time it's for stripping in a two man tackle on the last play! Warriors kick for touch, new set is 35m out. All one way traffic early.

3min: WAR 2-0 PEN

WAR TWO! After some discussion between the leadership group, Johnson steps forward to take the free two on offer instead of searching for six. 30m out, down the middle of the posts. Warriors in front.

2min: WAR 0-0 PEN

Another penalty after Lino makes a linebreak. He looks for support but the man there, Mannering, is tackled without the ball.

1min: WAR 0-0 PEN

Warriors get an early gift as the Panthers are penalised for being offside in the opening set. The Warriors needed that after making just over 10m in their first three tackles after kickoff. New set on halfway.

KICKOFF

Panthers get us going in Auckland.

PREVIEW

With the Tigers' win last night, the pressure is back on the Warriors to claim their first playoff appearance since 2011.

But their not the only ones wanting a win tonight for reasons involving the playoffs, with the Panthers hoping to find the dangerous form they were in earlier this year in time for the Finals.

Losses to teams outside the top eight have blighted both sides and that was on full display last week for the Warriors.

After convincing wins over the Dragons and Knights, things came undone against the Bulldogs in a 27-26 shock loss away last week.

The same went for the Panthers last week too who were shut down by the Knights 20-12, meaning both sides enter tonight's game looking to find form with just two games left in their respective regular seasons.

The Warriors will have to compete tonight without veteran playmaker Blake Green though, who has been sidelined with a calf injury.

Green's absence is somewhat offset by the return of experienced forward Tohu Harris but the Warriors have also had to bring in Peta Hiku due to a late injury to Gerard Beale.

That means the pressure is on stand-in Mason Lino to deliver once again in just his seventh NRL appearance, especially since the last time the two sides met was earlier this year when the Penrith outfit humbled the Kiwis 36-4.

TEAMS

WAR:  1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 17. Peta Hiku 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Mason Lino 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Isaiah Papalii 12. Adam Blair 13. Simon Mannering

WAR Interchange (from):  14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Tohu Harris 16. Bunty Afoa 18. Leivaha Pulu 20. Anthony Gelling 21. Chris Satae

PEN:  1. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 2. Josh Mansour 3. Waqa Blake 4. Dean Whare 5. Christian Crichton 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Trent Merrin 9. Wayde Egan 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris

PEN Interchange (from):  14. Tyrone May 15. Moses Leota 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. James Tamou 18. Sione Katoa 19. Kaide Ellis

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