THE RIVALRY: WARRIORS V PANTHERS
An increasingly fierce competition dominated by the Panthers and encompassing regular post-season pain for the Warriors.
The Warriors’ seesawing rivalry with the Penrith Panthers includes two shared coaches (three if you count a Panthers assistant who returned to take the head coach reins at the Warriors), several stars who have turned out for both clubs, four finals matches and a truckload of points. But after 31 seasons, it’s the Panthers who hold a commanding advantage after getting the better of the Warriors over the past decade.
Overall record: Played 54 – Penrith won 34, Warriors won 19, draws 1; Penrith scored 1,403 points, Warriors scored 1,113 points.
Biggest wins: Penrith – 62-6 at Centrebet Stadium, 2013; Warriors – 52-8 at Mt Smart Stadium, 2001.
Longest winning streaks: Penrith – 8 matches (2019-23); Warriors – 4 matches (2010-12).
Finals: Played 4 – Penrith won 4.
Most appearances: Simon Mannering (Warriors) – 21; James Fisher-Harris (Penrith and Warriors) – 19; Isaah Yeo (Penrith) – 19; Craig Gower (Penrith) – 17; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 17; Stacey Jones (Warriors) – 17; James Fisher-Harris (Penrith and Warriors) – 17; Moses Leota (Penrith) – 16; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 16; Jacob Lillyman (Warriors) – 15; Tony Puleuta (Penrith) – 15; Sam Rapira (Warriors) – 15;Luke Lewis (Penrith) – 14; Josh Mansour (Penrith) – 14; Ben Matulino (Warriors) – 14; Trent Waterhouse (Penrith) – 14.
Most tries: Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 12; Luke Rooney (Penrith) – 10; Rhys Wesser (Penrith) – 10; Ryan Girdler (Penrith) – 9; David Fusitu’a (Warriors) – 8; Tyrone Peachey (Penrith) – 8; Josh Mansour (Penrith) – 8; Brian To’o (Penrith) – 8; Logan Swann (Warriors) – 7.
Most points: Ryan Girdler (Penrith) – 113; Nathan Cleary (Penrith) – 96; Preston Campbell (Penrith) – 80; Michael Gordon (Penrith) – 76; Shaun Johnson (Warriors) – 72; James Maloney (Warriors and Penrith) – 62; Manu Vatuvei (Warriors) – 48; Luke Walsh (Penrith) – 48.
1995-2002 – Warriors and Panthers jockey for position
The Auckland Warriors had an instant connection with Penrith after signing the Panthers’ greatest-ever player, 1991 grand final-winning skipper Greg Alexander, for their debut campaign. The two-time Kangaroo tourist’s acquisition was a huge coup for the Warriors, and he provided excellent leadership at the club in their first two seasons.
But ‘Brandy’ was sidelined when the Warriors faced his former club for the first time, which saw Ryan Girdler score 18 points and legendary Kiwis halfback Gary Freeman cross for two tries in Penrith’s 34-16 win in Auckland.
Alexander was on deck for a homecoming to the foot of the Blue Mountains in 1996, however, featuring in a 26-16 Warriors win that included a Marc Ellis double.
Alexander returned to the Panthers for the 1997 Super League season, with both sides notching a home win that year. Gene Ngamu’s field goal proved the difference in their sole 1998 encounter, won 15-14 by the Warriors at Mt Smart.
Both clubs then carved out three-match winning streaks (Penrith from 1999-2000, Warriors from 2001-02) in a remarkable streak of high-scoring clashes, with the six encounters averaging aggregates of almost 60 points a game.
