'Comfortable and confident': Sorensen says Panthers embracing challenges

They'll be without their key halves and living away from familiar surroundings but forward Scott Sorensen is confident the latest distractions won't affect the Panthers' premiership tilt.

The Panthers are yet to win without Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary in two attempts this season but took steps before their bye last week with a 13-12 win over the Eels with Cleary on the sidelines.

The pair's setbacks in recent weeks open the door for Matt Burton and Tyrone May to lead the side for a third game this year in a combination that is yet to flourish. 

Luai's knee injury, which he had hoped was a cork, will sideline him for at least another fortnight, leaving the Panthers with a challenge to remain in the top two without their star playmakers.

"They're brilliant players and a very big part of what we do but at the end of the day it is a full team performance and we can't rely on those two with everything," Sorensen said.

"Yes, they're out but we've been doing a lot of work and are comfortable and confident. We can't wait to showcase [that] on Sunday.

"It [playing well in Queensland] is something that we've spoken about. As a club we're embracing what's happening.

"We've still got the goal there we want to achieve; whether it's in Queensland, Melbourne or New Zealand we know we've got a job to do.

"To be honest I think it might work in our favour, having time to jell and work together and have more comradery, get to know each other even more and work on our games.

"I think everyone's on board with that and wants to improve and get better."

Luai and Cleary will travel with the Panthers to their new Sunshine Coast base on Wednesday where they'll share facilities at the Twin Waters resort with the Knights, Sea Eagles and Roosters.

Sorensen, who joined the Panthers this year but remains based in Cronulla, will have his partner Elle and 18-month son Hudson join him in Queensland.

"There's sort of mixed emotions, it's all happened so fast. We're very grateful and fortunate to the NRL for putting this all together," he said.

"They've been so accommodating. Obviously, there's a thousand questions from partners in terms of entertaining the kids.

"We understand it's for the competition and not the everyday circumstances. It's [a] once-in-a-lifetime scenario if you want to put it that way.

"The boys adjust pretty easily. I'm sure it will be new to a few of the boys. Everyone has their routines but we're big boys and are professional.

"Everyone has been positive and looking forward to getting up there and doing everything we need to."

Panthers bookend James Fisher-Harris is in a similar boat with his family and hopes they'll be able to join him in Queensland.

Fisher-Harris said the situation had given him a bigger appreciation of what this week's opponents, the Warriors, have gone through in the past 18 months.

"It's normal now watching the Warriors but doesn't mean it's any less hard," he said.

"The Warriors did an outstanding job and it's a big props to them."