Johnson’s pectoral injury could not have come at a worse time for a Warriors side floundering in 14th position and looking a shadow of the high-octane attacking juggernaut that took the NRL by storm in 2023.
The loss of Cleary is certainly a blow for Penrith but the premiers have a knack of dealing with adversity and still finding a way to win games without their main man.
Currently sitting second on the ladder, the Panthers have manufactured three of their seven victories with Cleary out of the side and they’ll need to manage without him for the next eight weeks after scans confirmed a Grade 2 hamstring tear.
With Brad Schneider also injured the keys to the side will be handed to youngster Jack Cole in just his fourth NRL game.
The Warriors have lost four in a row since a draw against Manly in Round 6 and must turn things around quickly before their season slips away completely.
After downing the Dragons in the inaugural Magic Round in 2019 the Warriors have lost their past three matches at the festival of football so history isn’t in their favour as they confront the defending champions.
Team News
Warriors: Mass changes for Andrew Webster with Shaun Johnson (pectoral), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring) and Freddy Lussick (concussion protocols) all missing. Taine Tuaupiki joins the side at fullback, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad shifts to five-eighth and Te Maire Martin moves to halfback. Wayde Egan will start at hooker and Jacob Laban joins the bench. A change in the centres with Ali Leiataua replacing Rocco Berry, who is set to miss two games with a fractured hand.
Panthers: Jarome Luai will take over at halfback in the absence of Nathan Cleary (hamstring) and youngster Jack Cole comes in at five-eighth. Izack Tago’s return from a one-game suspension pushes Paul Alamoti to 18th man. Matt Eisenhuth and Daine Laurie have been added to the bench with Liam Henry sidelined due to concussion. Scott Sorensen is listed among the reserves and could be a late inclusion as he works his way back from a knee injury.
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