Origin stars breathe new life into Panthers' NRL season
Penrith's season has a pulse after their State of Origin stars inspired a gritty 18-10 defeat of Parramatta that hoists the Panthers from the bottom of the NRL ladder.
After a wayward performance that left him replaced as NSW's goal-kicker in Origin I, Nathan Cleary nailed the sideline conversion that put the Panthers up by two points with 20 minutes to play on Sunday.
Cleary managed the second half to perfection, before NSW teammate Dylan Edwards sent a looping pass to another Blue in Brian To'o, who crossed for the match-sealing try.
The Panthers have jumped into 14th place on the ladder and are now only three competition points out of the top eight at the halfway point of the campaign
They will need to win eight of their remaining 12 regular-season games to finish with a 50 per cent winning record.
But coach Ivan Cleary was encouraged by Sunday's win, with aspects of Penrith's four-time premiership-winning best showing themselves for the first time in a disappointing year.
"That was a pretty tough win," Cleary said.
"The scramble defence in the first half is what set the game up for us. We haven't really had that this year. I think it's been a hallmark of what we've done in past years.
"That can honestly be the difference between a win and a loss, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come."
The Eels had the better of long stretches of the game, but their only two tries came down the left side early in each half, with Dylan Brown important in the lead-up of both.
Cleary had his fingerprints on the Panthers' first two tries, rival captain Mitch Moses conceding the Eels could not keep up with his NSW teammate.
"He was on fire, wasn't he? That's why he's the best half in our game. He just killed us," Moses said.
Cleary swung left to help put Casey McLean over and did so again ahead of the Panthers' second try, which Thomas Jenkins scored from a McLean kick.
A Cleary 40/20 kick helped the Panthers on to the front foot in the final 10 minutes, before Edwards and To'o combined to seal the Panthers' first win at CommBank Stadium since adopting it as their home ground this year.
"All the Origin boys I thought were amazing. It's such a huge effort to back up after Origin," coach Cleary said.
"We've seen a bit across the league, it's something that I don't know if it's the greatest thing for these guys to do. They'll all do it and it was crucial that they did it today."
The Eels were denied a third consecutive win, but coach Jason Ryles was confident his improving side was still on the right track.
"We didn't play just any ordinary team, we had the fully loaded, four-time premiers today and they're desperate," the first-year coach said.
"They had to complete at 90 (per cent) and they had to play well, one to stay with us, and two to beat us in the end."
Penrith's season has a pulse after their State of Origin stars inspired a gritty 18-10 defeat of Parramatta that hoists the Panthers from the bottom of the NRL ladder.
After a wayward performance that left him replaced as NSW's goal-kicker in Origin I, Nathan Cleary nailed the sideline conversion that put the Panthers up by two points with 20 minutes to play on Sunday.
Cleary managed the second half to perfection, before NSW teammate Dylan Edwards sent a looping pass to another Blue in Brian To'o, who crossed for the match-sealing try.
The Panthers have jumped into 14th place on the ladder and are now only three competition points out of the top eight at the halfway point of the campaign
They will need to win eight of their remaining 12 regular-season games to finish with a 50 per cent winning record.
But coach Ivan Cleary was encouraged by Sunday's win, with aspects of Penrith's four-time premiership-winning best showing themselves for the first time in a disappointing year.
"That was a pretty tough win," Cleary said.
"The scramble defence in the first half is what set the game up for us. We haven't really had that this year. I think it's been a hallmark of what we've done in past years.
"That can honestly be the difference between a win and a loss, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come."
The Eels had the better of long stretches of the game, but their only two tries came down the left side early in each half, with Dylan Brown important in the lead-up of both.
Cleary had his fingerprints on the Panthers' first two tries, rival captain Mitch Moses conceding the Eels could not keep up with his NSW teammate.
"He was on fire, wasn't he? That's why he's the best half in our game. He just killed us," Moses said.
Cleary swung left to help put Casey McLean over and did so again ahead of the Panthers' second try, which Thomas Jenkins scored from a McLean kick.
A Cleary 40/20 kick helped the Panthers on to the front foot in the final 10 minutes, before Edwards and To'o combined to seal the Panthers' first win at CommBank Stadium since adopting it as their home ground this year.
"All the Origin boys I thought were amazing. It's such a huge effort to back up after Origin," coach Cleary said.
"We've seen a bit across the league, it's something that I don't know if it's the greatest thing for these guys to do. They'll all do it and it was crucial that they did it today."
The Eels were denied a third consecutive win, but coach Jason Ryles was confident his improving side was still on the right track.
"We didn't play just any ordinary team, we had the fully loaded, four-time premiers today and they're desperate," the first-year coach said.
"They had to complete at 90 (per cent) and they had to play well, one to stay with us, and two to beat us in the end."
Penrith's season has a pulse after their State of Origin stars inspired a gritty 18-10 defeat of Parramatta that hoists the Panthers from the bottom of the NRL ladder.
After a wayward performance that left him replaced as NSW's goal-kicker in Origin I, Nathan Cleary nailed the sideline conversion that put the Panthers up by two points with 20 minutes to play on Sunday.
Cleary managed the second half to perfection, before NSW teammate Dylan Edwards sent a looping pass to another Blue in Brian To'o, who crossed for the match-sealing try.
The Panthers have jumped into 14th place on the ladder and are now only three competition points out of the top eight at the halfway point of the campaign
They will need to win eight of their remaining 12 regular-season games to finish with a 50 per cent winning record.
But coach Ivan Cleary was encouraged by Sunday's win, with aspects of Penrith's four-time premiership-winning best showing themselves for the first time in a disappointing year.
"That was a pretty tough win," Cleary said.
"The scramble defence in the first half is what set the game up for us. We haven't really had that this year. I think it's been a hallmark of what we've done in past years.
"That can honestly be the difference between a win and a loss, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come."
The Eels had the better of long stretches of the game, but their only two tries came down the left side early in each half, with Dylan Brown important in the lead-up of both.
Cleary had his fingerprints on the Panthers' first two tries, rival captain Mitch Moses conceding the Eels could not keep up with his NSW teammate.
"He was on fire, wasn't he? That's why he's the best half in our game. He just killed us," Moses said.
Cleary swung left to help put Casey McLean over and did so again ahead of the Panthers' second try, which Thomas Jenkins scored from a McLean kick.
A Cleary 40/20 kick helped the Panthers on to the front foot in the final 10 minutes, before Edwards and To'o combined to seal the Panthers' first win at CommBank Stadium since adopting it as their home ground this year.
"All the Origin boys I thought were amazing. It's such a huge effort to back up after Origin," coach Cleary said.
"We've seen a bit across the league, it's something that I don't know if it's the greatest thing for these guys to do. They'll all do it and it was crucial that they did it today."
The Eels were denied a third consecutive win, but coach Jason Ryles was confident his improving side was still on the right track.
"We didn't play just any ordinary team, we had the fully loaded, four-time premiers today and they're desperate," the first-year coach said.
"They had to complete at 90 (per cent) and they had to play well, one to stay with us, and two to beat us in the end."
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Barnett had the worst news confirmed on Monday in Auckland, after being assisted from Accor Stadium in the Warriors' 36-30 win over South Sydney on Sunday. His injury comes as a mega blow for the Warriors, with Barnett a key member of the club's rise up the ladder to second spot this year. It is also a significant issue for the Blues. Barnett laid an early foundation for NSW in their 18-6 series-opening win, and has just two-and-a-half weeks before the next clash in Perth on June 18. Stefano Utoikamanu looms as the favourite for the spot, after he was part of NSW's 20-man squad for game one and placed on standby for Payne Haas. But Keaon Koloamatangi will also likely remain an option, after being the form prop of the NRL for the past month following his move infield from the second row. The Rabbitohs forward topped 200 metres again against the Warriors, scored a try, made eight tackle busts and played 80 minutes for the third straight game. 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The Advertiser
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Koloamatangi ready for Origin after blow to teammate
Mitchell Barnett has been ruled out for the season after scans confirmed the Warriors and NSW State of Origin prop has suffered a ruptured ACL. Barnett had the worst news confirmed on Monday in Auckland, after being assisted from Accor Stadium in the Warriors' 36-30 win over South Sydney on Sunday. His injury comes as a mega blow for the Warriors, with Barnett a key member of the club's rise up the ladder to second spot this year. It is also a significant issue for the Blues. Barnett laid an early foundation for NSW in their 18-6 series-opening win, and has just two-and-a-half weeks before the next clash in Perth on June 18. Stefano Utoikamanu looms as the favourite for the spot, after he was part of NSW's 20-man squad for game one and placed on standby for Payne Haas. But Keaon Koloamatangi will also likely remain an option, after being the form prop of the NRL for the past month following his move infield from the second row. 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Barnett had the worst news confirmed on Monday in Auckland, after being assisted from Accor Stadium in the Warriors' 36-30 win over South Sydney on Sunday. His injury comes as a mega blow for the Warriors, with Barnett a key member of the club's rise up the ladder to second spot this year. It is also a significant issue for the Blues. Barnett laid an early foundation for NSW in their 18-6 series-opening win, and has just two-and-a-half weeks before the next clash in Perth on June 18. Stefano Utoikamanu looms as the favourite for the spot, after he was part of NSW's 20-man squad for game one and placed on standby for Payne Haas. But Keaon Koloamatangi will also likely remain an option, after being the form prop of the NRL for the past month following his move infield from the second row. The Rabbitohs forward topped 200 metres again against the Warriors, scored a try, made eight tackle busts and played 80 minutes for the third straight game. Koloamatangi debuted in the 2023 dead rubber, starting in the second row and tapping on a pass in the lead up to the first NSW try. "Obviously one of my big goals is to get back there," Koloamatangi said. "But obviously you've got to play good at club level to be able to make the team. So I'm trying to just do that." Asked if he would enter the arena better prepared now with that experience under his belt, the Souths enforcer said he would. "Especially after playing for Tonga against Australia as well," added the 27-year-old. "They're obviously a mixture of both New South Wales and Queensland players. "My confidence is high at the moment. I feel like I'm playing good footy. Whatever happens, happens." Koloamatangi's move to the front row has made him one of several big-minute machines in the middle. Haas has long been the benchmark for props, while Terrell May has also become an 80-minute option for Wests Tigers after his move there from the Sydney Roosters this year. Koloamatagi's situation is slightly different, given he lost 10kg in the pre-season - which made him the leanest he has been since he was a teenager playing centre. "You've got to be lean and a lot fitter than back in the day. There's not many big-muscle props anymore that play," Koloamatangi said. "Especially with the interchanges going down to eight. The more minutes you play, the more valuable. "No matter what position I play, I try and be the best at it. "Obviously, the best props in the world, like Payne, they play massive minutes and do a massive amount of work. So I just try and do that for my team." Mitchell Barnett has been ruled out for the season after scans confirmed the Warriors and NSW State of Origin prop has suffered a ruptured ACL. Barnett had the worst news confirmed on Monday in Auckland, after being assisted from Accor Stadium in the Warriors' 36-30 win over South Sydney on Sunday. His injury comes as a mega blow for the Warriors, with Barnett a key member of the club's rise up the ladder to second spot this year. It is also a significant issue for the Blues. Barnett laid an early foundation for NSW in their 18-6 series-opening win, and has just two-and-a-half weeks before the next clash in Perth on June 18. Stefano Utoikamanu looms as the favourite for the spot, after he was part of NSW's 20-man squad for game one and placed on standby for Payne Haas. But Keaon Koloamatangi will also likely remain an option, after being the form prop of the NRL for the past month following his move infield from the second row. The Rabbitohs forward topped 200 metres again against the Warriors, scored a try, made eight tackle busts and played 80 minutes for the third straight game. Koloamatangi debuted in the 2023 dead rubber, starting in the second row and tapping on a pass in the lead up to the first NSW try. "Obviously one of my big goals is to get back there," Koloamatangi said. "But obviously you've got to play good at club level to be able to make the team. So I'm trying to just do that." Asked if he would enter the arena better prepared now with that experience under his belt, the Souths enforcer said he would. "Especially after playing for Tonga against Australia as well," added the 27-year-old. "They're obviously a mixture of both New South Wales and Queensland players. "My confidence is high at the moment. I feel like I'm playing good footy. Whatever happens, happens." Koloamatangi's move to the front row has made him one of several big-minute machines in the middle. Haas has long been the benchmark for props, while Terrell May has also become an 80-minute option for Wests Tigers after his move there from the Sydney Roosters this year. Koloamatagi's situation is slightly different, given he lost 10kg in the pre-season - which made him the leanest he has been since he was a teenager playing centre. "You've got to be lean and a lot fitter than back in the day. There's not many big-muscle props anymore that play," Koloamatangi said. "Especially with the interchanges going down to eight. The more minutes you play, the more valuable. "No matter what position I play, I try and be the best at it. "Obviously, the best props in the world, like Payne, they play massive minutes and do a massive amount of work. So I just try and do that for my team."
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He has always been a Bronco." With Brisbane in the midst of a form slump. reports emerged on the weekend that Haas was set to test the open market due to a list of players sent by Merhi's Sportsplayer Management group to all 17 clubs that included his name."That list goes out every month. Every coach in every club will get that," Merhi said. "Every November 1 we update our list to show who is coming off contract in the upcoming years. "It is a refresher and reminder to clubs that these players are with us and they need to speak to us in relation to any of those players when the time is right. "We are not talking to clubs about Payne and we are not having discussions with any of them." Haas is the leading rugby league prop in the world and every club would be interested in his services. 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The 25-year-old Haas has been signed at the Broncos since his teenage years and has said on numerous occasions that winning premierships with the club like his hero Glenn Lazarus is his goal. While negotiations on a new deal for Haas have not commenced, the Broncos and his agent Merhi have had positive dialogue. "We have had really good discussions with the Broncos and we are all on the same page. I do believe that Payne will stay at the Broncos," Merhi told AAP. "At this current stage we are not striking (any deal). We are waiting until the season is over and then we will go into heavy negotiations. "Payne is a Bronco. He has always been a Bronco." With Brisbane in the midst of a form slump. reports emerged on the weekend that Haas was set to test the open market due to a list of players sent by Merhi's Sportsplayer Management group to all 17 clubs that included his name."That list goes out every month. Every coach in every club will get that," Merhi said. "Every November 1 we update our list to show who is coming off contract in the upcoming years. "It is a refresher and reminder to clubs that these players are with us and they need to speak to us in relation to any of those players when the time is right. "We are not talking to clubs about Payne and we are not having discussions with any of them." Haas is the leading rugby league prop in the world and every club would be interested in his services. Former Western Reds star and 1991 Penrith premiership winner Mark Geyer told AAP recently that the new Perth Bears franchise, set to enter the competition in 2027, could lead to the first $2 million per season player and that Haas was a contender. Merhi said Haas had never instructed him to source the biggest dollar deal. "If we had wanted to do that we would have done it the last deal. He was getting bigger offers the last deal and he stayed at Brisbane," he said. "I just can't see Payne packing up his bags and going to Perth." The manager of Brisbane prop Payne Haas has moved to alleviate concerns his star client is aiming to leave the Broncos and insists money won't be the determining factor in his next deal. Ahmad Merhi also scuppered suggestions the NSW front-rower, off-contract at the end of 2026, was set to test the open market on November 1 to ignite a bidding war. The 25-year-old Haas has been signed at the Broncos since his teenage years and has said on numerous occasions that winning premierships with the club like his hero Glenn Lazarus is his goal. While negotiations on a new deal for Haas have not commenced, the Broncos and his agent Merhi have had positive dialogue. "We have had really good discussions with the Broncos and we are all on the same page. I do believe that Payne will stay at the Broncos," Merhi told AAP. "At this current stage we are not striking (any deal). We are waiting until the season is over and then we will go into heavy negotiations. "Payne is a Bronco. He has always been a Bronco." With Brisbane in the midst of a form slump. reports emerged on the weekend that Haas was set to test the open market due to a list of players sent by Merhi's Sportsplayer Management group to all 17 clubs that included his name."That list goes out every month. Every coach in every club will get that," Merhi said. "Every November 1 we update our list to show who is coming off contract in the upcoming years. "It is a refresher and reminder to clubs that these players are with us and they need to speak to us in relation to any of those players when the time is right. "We are not talking to clubs about Payne and we are not having discussions with any of them." Haas is the leading rugby league prop in the world and every club would be interested in his services. Former Western Reds star and 1991 Penrith premiership winner Mark Geyer told AAP recently that the new Perth Bears franchise, set to enter the competition in 2027, could lead to the first $2 million per season player and that Haas was a contender. Merhi said Haas had never instructed him to source the biggest dollar deal. "If we had wanted to do that we would have done it the last deal. He was getting bigger offers the last deal and he stayed at Brisbane," he said. "I just can't see Payne packing up his bags and going to Perth."
