Penrith slump nags Johnson before rematch

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson admits his side's second-half collapse to Penrith in mid-May will be front and centre when the sides clash again on Friday.

NZ Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson

Shaun Johnson's Warriors will get the chance to exact revenge for their collapse against Penrith. (AAP)

It's a result that, even after six weeks of NRL football, remains firmly stuck in Shaun Johnson's craw.

Ahead 28-6 at halftime, Johnson's Warriors - with two competition points in the bag - proceeded to throw away their lead with the flakiest of second-half collapses against Penrith in western Sydney.

In what was the club's worst capitulation, the 36-28 mid-May reverse humiliated Johnson and his teammates - and even stirred some across the ditch to question the Warriors' worth to the competition.

Yet, with three wins and three losses since, the Warriors have their chance to exact revenge on Friday.

"I want to rectify it, for sure," the halfback said.

"It still sits in my belly - so hopefully it still sits in a few of the boys' as well."

The clubs' recent history adds further spice to a fixture between two sides running out of time to make a top-eight play.

Sitting equal ninth on the ladder, both have plenty to play for - and could all but end the other's finals hopes with a victory.

The Warriors, with two byes in the past four weeks, can lay claim to being the fresher side. But the Panthers, whose campaign was on death row at the start of May, certainly head into the match in better form.

Since their come-from-behind Warriors win, Anthony Griffin's troops have pushed on to new heights with four wins from six - including last weekend's win over Manly.

Nevertheless, Griffin was on alert for a chastened Warriors, who would also be keen to farewell veteran Manu Vatuvei on a good note.

"There'll be a response for sure, and they've got a big night planned with Manu," Griffin said, referring to the Warriors' plans to rename Mount Smart Stadium the "Manu Vatuvei Stadium" and give Vatuvei masks and t-shirts to spectators.

The Warriors welcome Issac Luke and Solomone Kata back to NRL duty, but lose Ryan Hoffman and Albert Vete to long-term injuries.

Penrith, meanwhile, have ushered Kiwi back-rower James Fisher-Harris back into the first-grade fold after a 2017 campaign marred by injury.

Warriors boss Stephen Kearney says his side will need to match the Panthers' physicality - particularly through prop James Tamou - to stand a chance.

STATS THAT MATTER:

* Penrith have won seven of their past nine NRL matches against the Warriors.

* The Warriors have won six of their seven games at Mt Smart Stadium this year.


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Source: AAP


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