THE Warriors have been forced to play over half their elimination final against Penrith without Roger Tuivasa-Sheck after the in-form fullback suffered a knee injury on Saturday night.

The rugby league community held a collective breath when the Tuivasa-Sheck went down clutching his left knee in the 27th minute, the same knee he suffered an ACL injury on two years ago.

“It’s a strained medial ligament, he won’t be back tonight,” Fox Sports sideline eye Matt Russell said.

“It’s not the ACL which wiped him out of the 2016 season.”

With Warriors down 14-12, it couldn’t have come at a worse time for the team and salt was rubbed into the wounds when the Panthers crossed one minute later.

Tuivasa-Sheck has roared back into form this season and is a genuine contender for the Dally M Medal this season.

“This is a huge moment in the game … he was going so well,” Commentator Braith Anasta said.

Steve Roach added: “A huge void, the Dally M favourite.”

Peta Hiku shifted to fullback with Gerard Beale coming off the bench into centre.