As if facing the four-time reigning NRL premiers in sudden death footy isn’t bad enough.
Now there are reports the NRL will schedule the New Zealand Warriors home finals clash with Penrith directly against the nation’s most beloved sporting team, the All Blacks.
Wahs versus All Blacks?
According to the Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas, the Wahs-Panthers final is set to be played on Saturday afternoon Australian time—the exact moment the All Blacks take on the world champion South African Springboks in a heavyweight rugby union test match in Wellington.
ARLC boss Peter V’Landys has never been afraid of poking rival sporting codes in the chest, but directly taking on New Zealand’s most revered sporting brand certainly takes some cojones.
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It’s a classic PVL move, yet it’s also throwing the Wahs under something of a bus when it comes to commanding media attention and the eyeballs of local sports fans for the club’s most important match of 2025.
Rugby union reigns supreme across the ditch and the Wahs’ TV ratings are likely to take an almighty hit—and a completely unnecessary one at that.
Meanwhile, in other finals scheduling news it also seems Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has had his wish granted for an extra day turnaround, with the minor premiers now set to host Brisbane on Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium.
Likely NRL Week 1 Finals Schedule
Friday September 12, 8pm, AAMI Park
Qualifying Final: Storm (2nd) vs Bulldogs (3rd)
Saturday September 13, 5.30pm, Go Media Stadium
Elimination Final: Warriors (6th) vs Panthers (7th)
Saturday September 13, 7.30pm, Sharks Stadium
Elimination Final: Sharks (5th) vs Roosters (8th)
Sunday September 14, 4pm, GIO Stadium
Qualifying Final: Raiders (1st) vs Broncos (4th)