Panthers running back Cameron Ciraldo praised the Warriors’ effort against their Penrith team despite an unbalanced score.
The Penrith Panthers barely made it out of the second leg when they faced the Warriors in their last game at their makeshift home COVID-19 in Redcliffe.
The Warriors were defeated each time by the Panthers, who racked up seven tries, including a double to Brian To’o, in the baptism. Nathan Cleary was also on fire with the boot, with only the first To’o try without converting.
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That’s not to say the Warriors played poorly: they completed 83 percent and made fewer tackles than their highly rated opponents, but the Panthers were too good and were left with the winners 40-6.
Ciraldo said the Warriors’ first-half effort was “really committed and physical.”
Reece Walsh of the Warriors is tackled during the NRL Round 15 match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Penrith Panthers at Moreton Daily Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Brisbane, Australia. Photo: Albert Pérez (Getty)
Fourteen Panthers – including 12 of the 13 starters – are taking part in the performance round next weekend. Ciraldo said the distraction – or perhaps the risk of injury – was evident at times during the match.
“There are probably some distractions, you can’t underestimate how difficult it would have been,” he said.
“But I was very happy with how the boys went in the second half and it was a very committed performance.”
Jazz Tevaga of the Warriors takes selfies with fans after the game. His clash with the Panthers was the last in Redcliffe. Photo: Albert Pérez (Getty)
Warriors coach Stacey Jones said his team would take their lessons and look forward to next weekend – their first game at Mt Smart Stadium since 2019.
He said the return to the trenches offers the perfect opportunity to restart.
“Right now we’re not good with how we’re playing, but that gives us a good chance to come home and try to play good football,” he said.
“We want people to be proud of what we do, and coming home gives us a chance to do that.”
In his first-grade debut, Ronald Volkman had four runs, making a tackle tackle and a unloading.
Jones said his young No. 6 bought “good energy.”
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