Nathan Cleary reacts after Warriors stun Panthers

New Zealand Warriors landed a statement win as they knocked over the Penrith Panthers 28-12 at Go Media Stadium.

In a buzzing atmosphere in Auckland, the Wahs put in a superb display as they blitzed the premiership favourites in a scintillating first half.

The game will be remembered by the return of Luke Metcalf, as the halfback put in a player of the match performance on his return to action.

Metcalf, playing just his third game this season, scored 16 of the Warriors 28 points, including two tries on a night to remember for the playmaker.

A late surge in the second half from the Panthers, led by their chief Nathan Cleary, threatened to spoil the Wahs’ night, but Penrith left themselves too much to do.

Speaking at Go Media Stadium, Cleary acknowledged the Warriors quality on the night and how they were unable to swing the momentum their way.

“We just lacked that intesity that they had at the start,” Cleary told Sky Sport. “They just beat us in every area of the park, so credit to them.

“We showed a lot of fight in that last 20 minutes, but it was too little too late and there is a lot to work on for sure.

“Congrats to the Warriors, they were on tonight. This game had a finals atmosphere and our young guys will learn from this, we all will as a group.

“It was always going to be a tough contest. I watched the last game against the Wahs at home (while on Origin duty) and it was the game of the season.

“I think everyone expected this to be a great game. It was always going to happen throughout the game that they were going to get on top with their pack.

“It’s all about riding those momentum swings and capitalise when it’s going for you. But the Warriors do it really well.

“They got on top up front and that’s when they are at their best. We were expecting them to be at their best tonight.

“We didn’t do enough, but the Wahs are a great side and they were on tonight.”