I don't think our players have the experience to adapt to a changed game plan.
In which case it comes down to two things, our defence (if they cannot score we cannot lose) and individual brilliance with
SJ playing eyes up to counter the Panthers up fast and spoiling defence of our second man shifts.
Egan can put a man over under the posts.
But if you are looking for a point of difference then the focus is on TMM, and us having that ability to use width when we know the Panthers will be stacking their left edge defence because of Dallin.
Also a large reason why teams have been bothering us is we went away from the 15 minute injection of Walker and Jazz which kept our game at hyper speed then hit warp speed, which told later in contests.
Penriths cheating line speed and gang tackle you backwards lasts for about 15 minutes each half, the issue is surviving it and or not being exhausted out of the game, I see the early use of the bald bros as a critical counter here, especially since the Panthers have never faced the bald bros, they have never played TMM and
SJ in the same game.
We all hope our guys are so mentally ready for this that we see their best, if that happens I think we will hit hard and get out smiling.
I believe we will be up for it, cheifly because on that private plane flight, these boys will know they are going to war with all the best soldiers we have, nothing is more confidence inspiring in a NZ team.