<p>The fairytale story of 2025 seems to get a new chapter added to it every week. The Warriors weren’t exactly tipped for greatness this year and if you check out our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/ladder-predictions">NRL preseason ladder predictions,</a> you’ll see we were one of their many detractors.</p> <p>While we had them pinned for second last, they currently sit equal second as they welcome the severely understrength Penrith Panthers to Go Media Stadium in NRL round 16.</p> <p>With stars such as Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards and Brian To’o over in Perth for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nrl/predictions/state-of-origin-game-2-tips-2025">Origin II,</a> Penrith will have to make do across the ditch without them.</p> <p>It’s no surprise then that the Warriors are comfortable favourites here, with form, personnel and home ground advantage on their side.</p> <p>Can they add another assured victory to their growing collection this season? Or will Ivan Cleary and his second-string Panthers get one over his former employers?</p> <p>Let’s check out how both of these sides will line up for this post-Origin clash, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer, and over/under markets. This is our Warriors vs Panthers prediction.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Warriors vs Panthers Teams</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>New Zealand Warriors Team List</h3> <p>1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad</p> <p>2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak</p> <p>3. Adam Pompey</p> <p>4. Moala Graham-Taufa</p> <p>5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck</p> <p>6. Chanel Harris-Tavita</p> <p>7. Luke Metcalf</p> <p>8. James Fisher-Harris</p> <p>9. Wayde Egan</p> <p>10. Marata Niukore</p> <p>11. Leka Halasima</p> <p>12. Jacob Laban</p> <p>13. Erin Clark</p> <p>14. Te Maire Martin</p> <p>15. Jackson Ford</p> <p>16. Demitric Vaimauga</p> <p>17. Tanner Stowers-Smith</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Penrith Panthers Team List</h3> <p>1. Daine Laurie</p> <p>2. Thomas Jenkins</p> <p>3. Izack Tago&nbsp;</p> <p>4. Casey McLean</p> <p>5. Paul Alamoti</p> <p>6. Blaize Talagi</p> <p>7. Brad Schneider</p> <p>8. Moses Leota</p> <p>9. Mitch Kenny</p> <p>10. Lindsay Smith</p> <p>11. Scott Sorensen</p> <p>12. Isaiah Papalii</p> <p>13. Matthew Eisenhuth&nbsp;</p> <p>14. Trent Toelau</p> <p>15. Liam Henry</p> <p>16. Luron Patea</p> <p>17. Luke Garner</p>

<h2>Warriors vs Panthers Prediction and Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Head-to-Head Prediction</h3> <p>As mentioned before, we had the Warriors penned as the ‘elephant up the tree’ for season 2025. No one knows how it got up there, but everyone knows it’s just a matter of time before it comes crashing down.</p> <p>Well, what do you know, just two points off the top, the Wahs don’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.</p> <p>After a week off they now welcome Penrith to Go Media Stadium and will be looking to add another impressive scalp to their already growing collection this season.</p> <p>Speaking of Penrith. From the depths of despair to a win away from the eight, the Panthers have pulled it back and now have everyone looking over their shoulder.</p> <p>A win in NZ will have the rest of the competition on notice, but with such heavy Origin representation and the flight from Perth to Auckland being quite a big one, none of their stars will be backing up here. Up the Wahs, as they say.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> New Zealand Warriors.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Try Scorer Prediction</h3> <p>Main man Metcalf simply doesn’t seem to miss for the Warriors in 2025. Regardless of who the opposition is or what kind of form they are in, nothing seems to be stopping Luke the Nuke from finding his way to the line in recent times.</p> <p>He has scored at least one try in each of New Zealand's last three matches against teams on a winning streak, so Penrith, watch out.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Luke Metcalf.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Over/Under Prediction</h3> <p>The new kings of the grind, once the NRL’s leading purveyors of adlib footy, it seems the Warriors would rather win by six or less this season, then endure the usual 20 plus point swings they were once accustomed too.</p> <p>Eight of New Zealand's last nine matches as a favourite have gone under the total match points line and we’re tipping that trend to continue here.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Under total match points line.</p>

<h2>Warriors vs Panthers Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Saturday, June 21, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Kick-off:</strong> 3:00pm AEST.</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> Go Media Stadium, Auckland.</p>