NZ Warriors have shrugged off the apparent taunts of Penrith Panthers, coming in the wake of Saturday's NRL qualifying final defeat.
Shortly after the Panthers - the NRL's two-time reigning premiers - notched a first post-season victory of 2023, the club appeared to target the Warriors' 2023 'Up the Wahs' catchcry.
Injured five-eighth Jarome Luai posted the scoreline with the caption "Up the Pahs", while Penrith's official Twitter account also did the same.
In the time since Saturday's result, though, the Panthers' post has been deleted from social media, while Penrith chief executive Matt Cameron personally got in touch with Warriors opposite Cameron George to apologise.
But now as the Warriors prepare for an NRL semi-final against Newcastle Knights on Saturday, George says the Panthers' actions hold no bearing on the club.
"We're not worried," George told Newshub. "Matt Cameron, the CEO, reached out to me yesterday to apologise.
"We've moved on. We weren't disrespected by it. At the end of the day, it's just fans having a lot of fun.
"Maybe their staff did cross the line a little bit, but we've got a lot more to focus on this week.
"It is what it is, and we've moved on."
In a move welcomed by Warriors fans, that semi-final will be played at their spiritual home of Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.
Speculation had been rife over where the Warriors home playoff would be played, with NRL regulations requiring grounds to hold in excess of 25,000 to host a finals match.
Mt Smart's fixed capacity is 25,000, but can be added to with additional seating.
The Warriors players have maintained their view that Mt Smart should play host, as opposed to Eden Park, with George stating the right outcome has been reached.
"This is our home, we've earned the right to play here, and our stadium will be full," he added.
"It's going to be an electric atmosphere come Saturday, our boys deserve to be playing in front of their most faithful, and their home crowd, here at Mt Smart Stadium.
"We're really excited for it."
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