Despite licking their wounds from another torrid State of Origin encounter, NZ Warriors stars Mitch Barnett and Kurt Capewell are apparently not thrilled at missing their club's top-of-the-table NRL clash with Penrith Panthers this weekend.
Barnett's New South Wales side stormed back from 20 points down to capture the contest 22-20, after Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off for a dangerous high tackle with 20 minutes remaining.
The Warriors front-rower logged 40 minutes in two shifts, re-entering the game as his Blues began their comeback, while second-rower Capewell went the entire distance for the Maroons, emerging bloodied, but unbowed in a losing effort.
Neither will back up on Sunday, when the Auckland club travel to Sydney to face the first-placed Panthers at CommBank Stadium.
"They're both willing - let's be clear about that - and they weren't too happy about it, but we just think it's best for them," coach Andrew Webster admitted.
