An undermanned Penrith have secured a critical 28-18 victory over the high-flying Warriors despite missing their swag of State of Origin stars.
The Panthers arrived in Auckland without five stars including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo due to the travel factor from Origin II in Perth to New Zealand.
But the rookie outfit shocked the third-ranked hosts in their Saturday clash to bank a third straight win and continue their climb up the NRL ladder.
Depending on results the defending premiers could finish inside the top eight at the end of the round for the first time since Las Vegas in the opening round.
Winning seven of their past eight matches, the Warriors were expected to outclass Penrith but the Panthersโ young halves Blaize Talagi and Brad Schneider stood up to steer the visitors home.
With Moses Leota leading the way up front with 147 run metres, second rower Scott Sorensen also stood tall, scoring two of their five tries.
The Panthers celebrate a Blaize Talagi try.Credit: Getty Images
The Warriors werenโt helped by losing Marata Niukore to a head knock 10 minutes into the match and then winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury.
Sorensen went on report for the tackle that ended Watene-Zelezniakโs night.
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