The New Zealand Warriors are set to host the Penrith Panthers in a crucial elimination final at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. This match is part of the NRL Finals series and will kick off at 4:05 PM AEST on September 13, 2025. The stakes are high, as the losing team will be eliminated from the finals.

In a significant lineup change, Brad Schneider will start at hooker for the Panthers, replacing Luke Sommerton, who has been moved to the bench. Coach Ivan Cleary confirmed that Mitch Kenny is out due to a hamstring injury, which he described as a minor strain but enough to prevent Kenny from performing at his best. "We took Mitch off at half-time last week as more of a precaution, but he was definitely feeling something," Cleary said. "It’s a little bit worse than what we initially thought, but it’s still only a minor strain."

The Panthers are expected to field a full-strength team, with the only notable absence being Kenny. Cleary also made the tough decision to drop Tom Jenkins, who was recently named the club’s Members Player of the Year. "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 stated.

For the Warriors, Rocco Berry is out for the season due to a shoulder injury. In response, Kurt Capewell has shifted to the centers, while Leka Halasima will start in the back row. Coach Andrew Webster has also considered moving Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad to the centers, but opted to keep him at fullback to handle Nathan Cleary’s kicking game. "Nicoll-Klokstad will have a huge job on his hands to mop up the star halfback’s kicks and also defuse his towering bombs," Webster noted.

The Warriors have made additional adjustments, with Wayde Egan returning from a hip injury and Jackson Ford back from suspension. This has led to Samuel Healey dropping out of the side, while Tanner Stowers-Smith will start on the bench.

The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to advance in the finals. The Warriors will look to capitalize on their home advantage, while the Panthers aim to continue their pursuit of a fourth consecutive premiership. Fans can follow the action through live updates and coverage as the game unfolds.