Round 25
Penrith Panthers 20 l. New Zealand Warriors 24

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Warriors seal home final and confine Panthers to the spoon
Sat September 1, 2007
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

The Vodafone Warriors have clinched just the second NRL home play-off in the club's history.

Coming back from 0-14 deficit against Penrith at CUA Stadium tonight (Saturday), they stormed to a 24-14 lead soon after halftime and were seemingly on course to win comfortably.

But in keeping with so many matches in this year's competition, there were more twists left.

With 14 minutes to go, big Kiwi second rower Frank Pritchard sliced through a hole to score behind the posts, Michael Gordon's conversion closing the margin to 20-24.

From then on hearts were in mouths everywhere as the Vodafone Warriors went close to stretching the lead only for Penrith to threaten to draw level.

But the visitors had the resolve to hang on for a famous four-point win to ensure they'll be playing at Mt Smart Stadium when the play-offs begin next week.

As the fourth-placed side, they'll kick off the programme next Friday taking on the fifth-placed side in a match kicking off at 8.30pm (the late time caters for Channel Nine's demands in Australia).

Just who the Vodafone Warriors will face be determined by the outcome of the Parramatta-Brisbane clash tomorrow (Sunday).

If the Eels win they'll travel to Auckland; if the Broncos win, the Vodafone Warriors will be tangling with the 2006 premiers first up. The Vodafone Warriors beat both sides at Mt Smart in the opening two weeks of this season, 34-18 against the Eels and 24-14 against the Broncos.

The first time the club secured a home semi-final was in 2002 when, as minor premiers, the Vodafone Warriors beat Canberra at Ericsson Stadium on their way to making their first grand final appearance.

Match details:

At CUA Stadium, Penrith:
Vodafone Warriors 24 (Todd Byrne 2, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira tries; Michael Witt 4 conversions).
Penrith Panthers 20 (Nathan Smith 2, Frank Pritchard tries; Michael Gordon 3 conversions, penalty).
Halftime: 18-14 Vodafone Warriors.
Referee: Sean Hampstead.

Report source: www.warriors.co.nz


Ropati ruled out of Warriors side to travel to Penrith
Tue August 28, 2007
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

Centre Jerome Ropati was today confirmed as a non-starter for the Vodafone Warriors' final match of the NRL's regular season against Penrith on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old was forced off the field with a shoulder injury early in Sunday's 36-14 win against Manly.

Head coach Ivan Cleary said Ropati would definitely miss the vital encounter with the Panthers.

"He won't be able to play this week but we're yet to find out the extent of the injury," he said.

With Ropati sidelined, Cleary has named veteran back rower Wairangi Koopu in the centres. Playing his milestone 150th match for the club, Koopu scored two tries as Ropati's replacement against the Sea Eagles.

"Wai did a tremendous job for us coming on to play there for almost the entire match."

With Koopu named in the starting line-up, Cleary has added former Kiwi back rower Louis Anderson on a five-man bench along with regulars Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki and George Gatis plus long-serving utility Todd Byrne, who was used at fullback when Wade McKinnon was out for two matches with an ankle injury.

Last Sunday's victory against Manly was the Vodafone Warriors' 12th of the year, confirming their place in the play-offs for the first time since 2003.

With St George Illawarra upsetting Parramatta 14-6 last night, a win against the Panthers on Saturday night would secure the Vodafone Warriors' first home semi-final since their only one so far against Canberra in 2002.

"For us this week is all about preparing for Penrith and trying to beat them. That's all we need to think about," said Cleary.

The Panthers will go into the match sharing last place with Newcastle on 18 points but ranked 19th through their superior points for and against record.

The Vodafone Warriors beat Penrith 54-14 at Mt Smart Stadium in June but have been unable to win at the Panthers' home ground since 2002.

"This game is as challenging for us as any other we've had. The Panthers will find plenty of reasons to fire up this week," said Cleary.

While Koopu played his 150th match last week - only the fourth player to do so for the Vodafone Warriors - Epalahame Lauaki marked his 50th appearance with a try and captain Steve Price also broke through the 4000 mark for metres gained this season.

New Zealand Warriors v Penrith Panthers
CUA Stadium, Penrith
7.30pm, Saturday, September 1

Vodafone Warriors

1 Wade Mckinnon
2 Michael Crockett
3 Wairangi Koopu
4 Simon Mannering
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Michael Witt
7 Grant Rovelli
8 Sam Rapira
9 Nathan Fien
10 Steve Price (c)
11 Ruben Wiki (vc)
12 Logan Swann
13 Micheal Luck

Interchange:
14 Todd Byrne
15 Evarn Tuimavave
16 Epalahame Lauaki
17 Louis Anderson
18 George Gatis
(one to be omitted)

Coach: Ivan Cleary

News sent by: www.warriors.co.nz

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