Nathan Cleary speaks out as new details emerge in divisive Panthers move in Vegas

Yahoo

28-02-2025

Nathan Cleary has hinted that star recruit Blaize Talagi faces a tough battle to break into Penrith's starting side, as new details emerge around Panthers coach Ivan Cleary's shock decision to omit him from the Las Vegas season opener. Talagi moved to the four-time defending premiers from Parramatta in the off-season, with many expecting the 19-year-old to come straight into the side as the long-term replacement at No.6 for Jarome Luai, following the five-eighth's switch to the Wests Tigers.
But coach Cleary sprang his first major shock of the new season by naming Jack Cole at No.6 for Sunday's (AEDT) Vegas showdown against Cronulla, and Talagi amongst the reserves. The former Eel lit up the NRL in his debut season in 2024 and comes to the defending premiers with plenty of hype. But the 19-year-old did have to undergo shoulder surgery in the off-season, which is likely one of the reasons why the coach has decided not to risk him.
However, another issue has emerged around Talagi's shock omission, with veteran league reporter Brent Read suggesting the 19-year-old is still not up to speed with Penrith's structures and style of play. Talagi only featured briefly in the halves for Parramatta last season and was more impressive during his displays on the wing, with his speed and finishing ability rocketing him into stardom.
But playing in the halves for the defending premiers is a different kettle of fish and learning the various defensive structures and attacking patterns of this generation's greatest side will surely take time. Speaking on NRL 360 from Las Vegas ahead of Sunday's game, Read suggested that Talagi's omission had more to do with those factors, than concerns around his shoulder.
'I think the issue was that he had a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season so he wasn't with the team all the time on the park," Read said. "But I don't think he is as advanced as maybe they thought he would be in terms of his football knowledge and football nous.
'They are very confident he'll get there eventually but for the time being, the Panthers believe Jack Cole is the right man to play five-eighth alongside Nathan Cleary. Blaize has signed a long-term deal there and he's only 19 so time is on his side.'
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould was among those to question why the Panthers wouldn't start with Talagi at five-eighth from the opening round. "They bought Blaize Talagi for a reason," Gould said earlier this week. "Blaize Talagi has gone to the Panthers to play five-eighth, to play with Nathan Cleary and to replace Jarome Luai... not sure what the Panthers mindset is with that, but I can't see why they wouldn't do that.
"I can't see why they can't start Blaize Talagi straight away. I think the sooner they settle on that, the better. He can play other positions, of course, but he has gone there to play five-eighth and I would be surprised if they don't play him five-eighth, from the get-go. But it is still a strong side."
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The Panthers signed Talagi on a reported three-year, $1.5 million deal and he is expected to be co-captain Cleary's long-time halves partner. But the champion Penrith No.7 was quick to point out that nothing is guaranteed after backing Cole to put up a fight to keep hold of the No.6 jersey after a solid pre-season and impressive performances in the role for Penrith last season.
"I think he has, he's proven that through the pre-season, that's why he's starting at six," Cleary said about Cole's prospects. "Obviously Blaize is coming off a shoulder as well. We've still got a little bit of time to go with him, but I think 'Coley' has really impressed. Even in his games last year, I thought they were great experiences for him to build on. It's exciting."
with AAP