The Warriors have only won the minor premiership once, back in 2002, when they went on to reach the grand final.
Regardless of whether they finish first or second, victory over the Sea Eagles would secure the Warriors’ most successful regular season. An 18th win would surpass the club record set 24 years ago.
Sam Healey and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava replace Egan and Capewell in the starting side, with Ieremia-Toeava making his first career start.
Harris-Tavita and Martin return at five-eighth and halfback respectively, replacing Jett Cleary and Luke Hanson. Cleary drops to the reserves alongside Jye Linnane and Haizyn Mellars.
Nicoll-Klokstad moves to fullback, pushing Taine Tuaupiki on to the six-man bench, while Adam Pompey starts on the right wing.
Morgan Gannon, Makaia Tafua and Kayliss Fatialofa are also on the bench, with Fatialofa in line to make his NRL debut.
The Panthers have also resisted resting players as they prepare to face the Wests Tigers – a side they beat 68-0 earlier in the season.
They welcome back experienced hooker Mitch Kenny, while Isaah Yeo has a chance of returning from a pectoral injury.
If the Warriors and Panthers both win, the Warriors must beat the Sea Eagles by at least the same margin as the Panthers beat the Tigers to claim the minor premiership.
If they both lose, the Warriors will need to lose by an equal or smaller margin to finish on top.
A Warriors win and a Panthers loss – or vice versa – would leave the winning team alone on 42 points and secure the minor premiership.
The Warriors will host either the Dolphins or Sydney Roosters in their qualifying final, likely to be played in Auckland on Friday, September 11.
That’s because qualifying finals are traditionally played on a Friday and Saturday. With Penrith’s clash against the Tigers scheduled for Sunday, the NRL is unlikely to require the Panthers to play a finals match just five days later.
The one exception to this came last year, when the Canberra Raiders were allowed to play their qualifying final against the Brisbane Broncos on a Sunday.
That caused a major scheduling headache for the rest of the playoffs and ultimately contributed to their demise.
Heading into the final round, all eight playoff teams have been confirmed but their final positions remain undecided.
The Warriors and Panthers are guaranteed top two, while the Dolphins and Roosters will battle for third and fourth. From fifth to eighth are the Cronulla Sharks, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Newcastle Knights and North Queensland Cowboys.
Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Ali Leiataua, 4. Leka Halasima, 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira, 6. Chancel Harris-Tavita, 7. Te Maire Martin, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Sam Healey, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 12. Jacob Laban, 13. Erin Clark.
Interchange (from): 14. Makaia Taufa, 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Eddie Morgan Gannon, 18. Taine Tuaupiki, 20. Kayliss Fatialofa, 21. Jett Cleary, 22. Jye Linnane, 23. Haizyn Mellars.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
