NSW hero Nathan Cleary will sit out Penrith's top-of-the-table clash with the Warriors as the Panthers look to open up a gap in the race for the NRL's minor premiership.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has opted to take a cautious approach, placing son Nathan, and fellow Blues State of Origin stars lock Isaah Yeo and winger Brian To'o on ice for Sunday's meeting with the Kiwi outfit at CommBank Stadium.
Nathan Cleary was named man of the match in the series opener in which NSW won 22-20, with Blues debutant Casey McLean the only Panther to back up following Wednesday's victory.
McLean has been named on the bench, rather than at centre.
Penrith have made a habit of winning in the week after an Origin fixture, boasting a 11-2 record since the 2021 season.
The second-placed Warriors are two points behind leaders Penrith heading into round 13 and coach Andrew Webster has also decided to sit out Queensland back-rower Kurt Capewell and NSW prop Mitch Barnett.
"They haven't played a hell of a lot of football this year, they've not got a lot of momentum so I thought to back them up would be stupid," said Webster.
"We'd jeopardise their lack of football off the back of Origin.
"They were both willing (to play), they weren't too happy about it (being sat out)."
The Warriors (9-2) - unbeaten in their last six - have established themselves as Penrith's closest contenders this season.
"They're a great team … they'll be a tough test and they've been flying high," said Panthers edge forward Luke Garner.
"We're going well and we still have a lot of improvement in our game.
"We try not to get too high on ourselves as it's only round 12 and there's a fair chunk of the season left."
