NRL round 23: Warriors v Panthers betting tips
The New Zealand Warriors-Panthers clash on Friday night shapes as one of the matches of the NRL season, and there is plenty at stake for both teams.
The high-flying Panthers are being challenged for top spot on the ladder by the red-hot Roosters and potentially the Warriors, so they won’t want to slip up with the finals looming.
While the Wahs are only four points behind the Panthers, a loss would also put them at risk of dropping out of the top four, with the fifth-placed Dolphins only a win (and a significant points differential) behind them.
These teams won’t die wondering though history points to a comfortable win for Ivan Cleary’s dominant Panthers; they have won 11 of the past 12 meetings between these teams.
The most recent was earlier this year in round 13 and it was a thriller as the Panthers held on to win 20-18. The Warriors will have a massive crowd for this one but bookies say the Panthers will get the job done. They are firm favourites at around $1.60 with Australian betting sites with the line set at 4.5 points.
Warriors v Panthers team news
Warriors: They got their campaign back on track last weekend with a thumping win against the Titans, so coach Andrew Webster has kept the faith with the starting 13. Ace fullback Taine Tuaupiki (foot) returns after injury on the bench.
Panthers: The ladder leaders have lost boom centre Casey McLean (hand) for at least a couple of matches, but fortunately have a great replacement in three-time premiership winner Izack Tago. Talented Blaize Talagi takes Tago’s spot on the bench. Coach Ivan Cleary will be sweating on the return of champion fullback Dylan Edwards (shoulder).
Roosters soar in NRL title betting
The Sydney Roosters have continued their relentless chase of the Panthers and that is reflected in title betting this week. The Roosters have closed in to $5 chances to win the NRL title, while the Panthers remain around $2.60 – and the race for the minor premiership could suddenly open up if the Warriors beat the Panthers in their Friday night blockbuster.
Of course, the Roosters scored a staggering 82-12 win against the hapless Cowboys last weekend, a scoreline which sent a shockwave around the competition and sent the embarrassed Cowboys plummeting from $23 out to $41. It remains to be seen if there is any way back from that shellacking for Todd Payten’s North Queensland side.
Bookies have narrowed the serious title chances down to five: the Panthers, Roosters, Warriors, Sharks and Dolphins, though Newcastle firmed from $26 to $21 after their 30-6 win against the Broncos killed off the defending premiers’ faint chances.
The Bulldogs have also made steady progress towards a finals spot and their premiership price was trimmed from $41 to $34. Their title credentials are sure to be tested in the second match on Friday night when they tackle the red-hot Roosters.
Read on for our Warriors v Panthers tips and winner prediction for their round-23 NRL clash.
Warriors v Panthers match information
- Kick-off: 6pm AEDT, Friday, August 7
- Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
- Head to head odds: Warriors $2.35, Panthers $1.60
- Line betting: Warriors (+4.5 points) $1.90, Panthers (-4.5 points) $1.90
- Match total: 41.5 points: over $1.90, under $1.90
2026 NRL premiership betting
$2.60 Penrith Panthers
$5 Sydney Roosters
$7.5 Cronulla Sharks
$9.5 New Zealand Warriors
$11 Redcliffe Dolphins
$21 Newcastle Knights
$26 South Sydney Rabbitohs
$34 Canterbury Bulldogs
$41 North Queensland Cowboys, Manly Sea Eagles
$126 Canberra Raiders
$251 Melbourne Storm
$751 Parramatta Eels
$1501 Wests Tigers
Warriors v Panthers betting tips
These are two of the most powerful, entertaining sides of the NRL season, with the Panthers basically holding top spot from the early rounds.
The Warriors have likewise been in the top two for the bulk of the season, and they will be playing for keeps in this one, which precedes another mouth-watering round-23 clash between the Roosters and the resurgent Dogs.
The Panthers don’t have quite the same look about them without outstanding fullback Dylan Edwards and this is a great chance for the Warriors to make a statement and throw open the race for the title.
Warrtiors by 4 points.
- New Zealand Warriors +4.5 points/ match total over 41.5 at $3.75 with Australian betting sites.
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira/Thomas Jenkins to have 2+ tries combined. These wing rivals are both scoring for fun this season and about $2.30 is available for this outcome.
NRL round 23, 2026
- Thursday, August 6: Titans v Cowboys, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast, home of the Yugembah People | 7.50pm
- Friday, August 7: Warriors v Panthers, Go Media Stadium, Auckland, Te pā o Rarotonga | 6pm
Roosters v Bulldogs, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, home of the Gadigal and Bidjigal Peoples | 8pm - Saturday, August 8: Titans v Warriors, Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast | 3pm
Panthers v Raiders, Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee | 5.30pm
Broncos v Knights, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 7.35pm - Sunday, August 9: Sharks v Rabbitohs, Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney | 2pm
Wests Tigers v Eels, CommBank Stadium, Sydney | 4.05pm
* Sea Eagles have the bye
