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NSW Cup: Finals Week 1 Teams

The Warriors, Panthers, Raiders and Newtown Jets will play this Saturday.

Published by
Ethan Lee Chalk

After 26 rounds in the home-and-away season, only five teams remain in the 2024 NSW Cup competition as they all look to become the new premiership winner of the reserve-grade competition.

Defending premiers South Sydney Rabbitohs are out of finals contention, and so are the Dragons, Bulldogs, Knights, Sea Eagles, Roosters, Eels and Western Suburbs Magpies.

This leaves the five remaining teams as the North Sydney Bears, Newtown Jets, Canberra Raiders, New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers.

While the Bears will have the week off, Week 1 of the finals will see the Warriors face the Panthers and the Jets take on the Raiders.

New Zealand Warriors vs Penrith Panthers

The fourth-place New Zealand Warriors will take on the fifth-place Penrith Panthers at Leichhardt Oval at 13:00 (AEST) in what is set to be a blockbuster clash.

New Zealand Warriors

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 12: Taine Tuaupiki of the Warriors looks to run the ball out of the in goal during the round 24 NRL match between the Warriors and the West Tigers at FMG Stadium Waikato on August 12, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

The New Zealand Warriors have made three key changes and all of the incoming players will enter the starting team after spending a few weeks with the NRL squad.

Winger Setu Tu is a player to watch after his great form saw him earn a Top 30 roster spot, while Taine Tuaupiki, Ali Leiataua, Edward Kosi, Bunty Afoa, Jacob Laban, Leka Halasima and Kalani Going have all played in the NRL at some point this season.

In: Ali Leiataua, Taine Tuaupiki, Tom Ale
Out: Ben Farr, Harry Durbin, Motu Pasikala

1. Taine Tuaupiki
2. Setu Tu
3. Moala Graham-Taufa
4. Ali Leiataua
5. Edward Kosi
6. Luke Hanson
7. Paul Roache
8. Tom Ale
9. Makaia Tafua
10. Bunty Afoa
11. Jacob Laban
12. Leka Halasima
13. Kalani Going (c)

Interchange
14. Geonimo Doyle
15. Tanner Stowers-Smith
16. Zyon Maiu'u
17. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Penrith Panthers

Jesse McLean in action. (Photo: Flickr- @NAPARAZZI)

In: Jesse McLean, Niko Apelu
Out: Jakeb Vailalo, Sione Fonua

The Penrith Panthers have received two big inclusions: winger Jesse McLean and Niko Apelu returning to the lineup - the former has been out on the sidelines with injury.

Fullback Isaiah Iongi is another player to watch after continually being a presence at the back of the field, while Casey McLean, Daine Laurie, Luke Sommerton, Mavrik Geyer, Luron Patea and Preston Riki have all played in the NRL at some point this season.

1. Isaiah Iongi
2. Asu Kepaoa
3. Tyrone Peachey (c)
4. Casey McLean
5. Jesse McLean
6. Daine Laurie
7. Soni Luke
8. Jordan Grant
9. Luke Sommeton
10. Austin Dias
11. Mavrik Geyer
12. Zac Lipowicz
13. Luron Patea

Interchange
14. Billy Scott
15. Niko Apelu
16. Preston Riki
17. Harrison Hassett

Newtown Jets vs Canberra Raiders

The second-place Newtown Jets will take on the third-place Canberra Raiders at Leichhardt Oval at 17:00 (AEST) in what is set to be a blockbuster clash.

Newtown Jets

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Liam Ison of the Sharks runs the ball during the round 21 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on July 27, 2024, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Newtown Jets have received a big inclusion in winger Sam Stonestreet this week after a couple of weeks playing in the NRL.

Fullback Liam Ison is another player to watch after taking the competition by storm, while Jayden Berrell, Tuuku Hau Tapuha and Billy Burns have all played in the NRL at some point this season.

In: Chris Vea'ila, Sam Stonestreet
Out: Siteni Taukamo, Tony Maroun

1. Liam Ison
2. Tom Rodwell
3. Chris Vea'ila
4. Jordan Swann
5. Sam Stonestreet
6. Khaled Rajab
7. Niwhai Puru
8. Rhys Dakin
9. Jayden Berrell
10. Tuku Hau Tapuha
11. Jordan Leiu
12. Billy Burns
13. Blake Hosking

Interchange
15. Kurt Dillon
17. Billy Magoulias
18. Joshua Cook
19. Brad Fearnley

Canberra Raiders

QUEANBEYAN, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 25: Chevy Stewart of the Raiders in action during the NRL Pre-season challenge match between Canberra Raiders and North Queensland Cowboys at Seiffert Oval on February 25, 2024 in Queanbeyan, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

In: Jed Stuart, Zac Woolford
Out: James Schiller, Luke Webley, Trey Mooney

The Canberra Raiders have suffered two big losses for this week's match in James Schiller and Trey Mooney but have received experienced rake Zac Woolford who will slot straight into the dummy-half role.

Owen Pattie is another player to keep an eye on after winning the 2024 Jersey Flegg Player of the Year award, while Chevy Stewart, Nick Cotric, Emre Guler and Hohepa Puru have all played in the NRL at some point this season.

1. Chevy Stewart
2. Nick Cotric
3. Mitchell Spencer
4. Prinston Esera
5. Jed Stuart
6. Manaia Waitere
7. Mitch Henderson
8. Emre Guler
9. Zac Woolford
10. Jordan Martin
11. Noah Martin
12. Joe Reddy
13. Hohepa Puru (c)

Interchange
14. Owen Pattie
15. Peter Hola
16. Peter Taateo
20. Jaxon Lavender

Published by
Ethan Lee Chalk