NRL 2026, round 23, live blog, Indigenous Round, Warriors, Panthers, Roosters, Broncos, match highlights, injuries, coaches media conferences

Blockbuster Friday: Warriors v Panthers; Roosters v Bulldogs

Author: Colleen Edwards NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 7 Aug 2026, 06:17 PM

A Friday night to savour as first meets third before second takes on eighth in two of the most eagerly anticipated clashes of the season.

We kick off in Auckland with ladder leaders Penrith travelling across the ditch to match motors with the Warriors, who have struggled for consistency since the midway point of the season, going L-L-W-L-W-W-L-W across the past eight games.

There's no place like home to find your best form and that's exactly what the Wahs will be chasing in our Friday night opener before the Roosters also look to turn on a show for their loyal fans at Allianz Stadium.

The Bondi boys are riding a six-game winning streak and could scarcely have been more impressive in a record-breaking 70-point win over the Cowboys.

So much to play for on a fabulous Friday and you can follow all the action on NRL.com's live blog.

Warriors v Panthers at Go Media Stadium

Round 23 - Round 23 - Friday 7 Aug

Live

17:15

Warriors

Panthers

Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland

WatchNRL

Latest Team Stats

12th min: What a return to the NRL for Luke Metcalf already - over for the second Warriors try of the match. A great lead up from the Warriors with Wayde Egan stealing metres to get them on the front foot. Then it was good passing from the forwards - Mitch Barnett doing a little double pump before releasing Kurt Capewell through a hole who runs away and then passes back inside for his halfback to go in under the posts. He converts his own try for a 12-0 lead.

5th min: Warriors lock Erin Clark led the team haka and he now leads the team to their first points - simply charging his way through the Panthers defence to get the ball down under the posts. Luke Metcalf - who was called in late for the injured Te Maire Martin - slots the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

Kick off: Warriors kick off and the Panthers have the first use of the ball.

Pre-game ceremony: For the official pre-match cultural welcome, the Panthers will first be welcomed out to field by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei while the Warriors follow. Erin Clark leads the team's special haka.

Full house at Go Media Stadium and an NBA star in the house as well with Steven Adams. The Steven Adams Pathways Trust is the match-day partner.

NBA Star Steven Adam chats to Shaun Johnson ahead of kickoff at Mount Smart

Match preview

Warriors v Panthers: Round 23

Late Mail

Warriors: No more changes on game day after an earlier halves switch. Halfback Te Maire Martin picked up a hamstring strain at training on Wednesday and has been replaced in the starting side by Luke Metcalf, who will play his first NRL game since Round 5. Taine Tuaupiki has been named on the interchange bench as he looks to return from a foot injury that kept him out last week while Adam Pompey joins the bench in No.23. Demitric Vaimauga remains sidelined with a rib complaint that caused him to be a late withdrawal against the Titans. Morgan Gannon has been added to the interchange for just his second NRL appearance of the season.

Panthers: In a game-day change, Jack Cole comes into the halves, with Blaize Talagi back on the bench. Earlier he had moved back into the starting side with Jack Cogger staying in Sydney due to the impending birth of his child. Luron Patea has been added to the six-man bench. The loss of centre Casey McLean to a hand injury sees three-time premiership winner Izack Tago promoted to the starting side.