NRL: Coach Andrew Webster lauds potentially season-defining win over Penrith Panthers

Coach Andrew Webster hopes his NZ Warriors' dramatic win over Penrith Panthers in Magic Round is just the inspiration they need to turn their season around.

The 22-20 win was achieved without captain Tohu Harris or star backs Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with a team of relatively unheralded players upsetting the three-time reigning premiers.

A return to the winner's circle means the return of team song and having gone four weeks without it, the Warriors sang it loud and proud in Brisbane. 

With an injury list that sits and ten and the defending champions standing their way, the odds were stacked firmly against the Warriors.

Webster is more proud than relieved.

"We left the field today doing what we wanted to do, and the result came off the back of it, rather than chasing a result and then not doing what we wanted to do," Webster said after the match.

While they weren't chasing a result, they were chasing the game.

But their second half comeback had the Panthers on the ropes and may have breathed some much needed life back into their season.

"It definitely just proves what we need to do, and that does give us confidence," Webster added. 

"We beat a really good side and I was happy the way we went about it. Just so tough and resilient, and they just cared so much about making sure we did what we wanted to do."

The Panthers wiltered in the second spell. Their discipline was poor, and the Warriors weren't giving an inch.

Ivan Clearly offering little in the way of an explanation during a curt post-match presser.

 "We didn't play well enough." he responded in the briefest of addresses.  

Webster will demand the same hunger against the Dolphins next weekend.

Whether they have the services of Wade Egan for that remains to be seen, after the hooker left the field with another head knock.

But they won't be taking any chances on his return to play.

"We just care about the player," he said.  

"We'll get the right medical assessment done, and if they say he can play, then I'm happy and Wayde's confident.

"The player has to be confident and want to do it and if we need to take time, we'll take time."

The Warriors have shown they're capable of handling the cards they're dealt.

Coach Andrew Webster hopes his NZ Warriors' dramatic win over Penrith Panthers in Magic Round is just the inspiration they need to turn their season around.

The 22-20 win was achieved without captain Tohu Harris or star backs Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with a team of relatively unheralded players upsetting the three-time reigning premiers.

A return to the winner's circle means the return of team song and having gone four weeks without it, the Warriors sang it loud and proud in Brisbane. 

With an injury list that sits and ten and the defending champions standing their way, the odds were stacked firmly against the Warriors.

Webster is more proud than relieved.

"We left the field today doing what we wanted to do, and the result came off the back of it, rather than chasing a result and then not doing what we wanted to do," Webster said after the match.

While they weren't chasing a result, they were chasing the game.

But their second half comeback had the Panthers on the ropes and may have breathed some much needed life back into their season.

"It definitely just proves what we need to do, and that does give us confidence," Webster added. 

"We beat a really good side and I was happy the way we went about it. Just so tough and resilient, and they just cared so much about making sure we did what we wanted to do."

The Panthers wiltered in the second spell. Their discipline was poor, and the Warriors weren't giving an inch.

Ivan Clearly offering little in the way of an explanation during a curt post-match presser.

 "We didn't play well enough." he responded in the briefest of addresses.  

Webster will demand the same hunger against the Dolphins next weekend.

Whether they have the services of Wade Egan for that remains to be seen, after the hooker left the field with another head knock.

But they won't be taking any chances on his return to play.

"We just care about the player," he said.  

"We'll get the right medical assessment done, and if they say he can play, then I'm happy and Wayde's confident.

"The player has to be confident and want to do it and if we need to take time, we'll take time."

The Warriors have shown they're capable of handling the cards they're dealt.

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