Penrith urged to make sudden Las Vegas change as Nathan Cleary boost emerges
Penrith Panthers fans are confident for the season ahead as young halfback Trent Toelau shone brightly in Nathan Cleary's absence during the trial game as the likes of Blaize Talagi was put on notice. The Sea Eagles were slightly embarrassed in their trial defeat to the Panthers on Friday with the Penrith youngsters turning it on against a mixed Manly outfit.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary fielded an extremely inexperienced side, with his NRL talent heading to Las Vegas for the opening round, with plenty of young guns to show their talent. And the name that stood out was Toelau. The No.7 controlled the game for the junior Penrith side with only six players having NRL experience.
Toelau is considered behind Talagi, Brad Schneider and Jack Cole in the pecking order, but many fans feel the youngster showed glimpses of Cleary during the game. The No.7 can be considered a brilliant deputy to Cleary in 2025 if called upon with his pinpoint kicking game a highlight on Friday.
He could also threaten for a halves position. Last year, when Cleary missed 10 games due to his hamstring and shoulder injuries, Jarome Luai slotted in at halfback. This year, the Panthers will need a No.6 with Talagi pushing to be the starter. While Toelau might have to wait his chance, there were no shortage of calls to get the youngster on the plane to Las Vegas. His kicking game would compliment Cleary's with many fans excited for what is to come in the future.
Many feel Toelau should be learning under Cleary as quickly as possible. Cleary is also nursing his own injury and hasn't been confirmed yet for the NRL season opener in the US. Many immediately called for the coach to bring Toelau over to the US as a back-up playmaker.
This is despite Toelau still on a development contract. Toelau had his train-and-trial contract upgraded to a development contract last year and will join the squad in 2026. He has already played 12 games for the Panthers off the bench, but still remains a fringe squad player.
TRENT TOELOU has put his hand up to be Nathan Cleary's backup. Should be in Vegas. Someone fly him over 😊#PantherPride pic.twitter.com/1HnjyZ8JlI
— Peter Lang (@PeterVLang) February 21, 2025
If there was any doubt before then Trent Toelau has staked his claim as the cover for Nathan Cleary. Trent should be in Las Vegas. Anyway, great work by the second & third stringers so far.
— Ross Martin (@RossMartin1960) February 21, 2025
Why isn't Toelau on a plane to Vegas? Lad can play ball.
— 🏴 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐁 🇦🇺 (@MrJacobSheppard) February 21, 2025
Haven't seen a better option at 5/8 yet...(blaize not avail) definetly should play 7 over Schneider should nath ever be out
— Awkw4rdJoke (@Awkw4rdJoke88) February 21, 2025
While Toelau has impressed in his first trial game, doubt remains over whether Cleary will be fit in time for the season opener against the Sharks. There is plenty of hype around Craig Fitzgibbons' side in 2025 with the addition of Addin Fonua-Blake a huge bonus for a team lacking punch up the middle last year.
And coach Cleary has hinted his son, Nathan, will be ready for the Las Vegas clash. Although he isn't going to take any chances with Cleary already missing a huge portion of last year's campaign.
"It's been a case of, if everything goes well then they'll be ready," Cleary said. "And to this point everything has gone well but the slightest setback is going to put round one in serious doubt. So at this stage they're all looking pretty good but we've still got a bit to get through yet."
The last thing the Panthers need is a worrying injury to one of their key players before they embark on a quest for a fifth-straight NRL premiership in 2025. Nathan Cleary had surgery on his shoulder after the NRL grand final and has only just returned to contact training. There are also reports Brian To'o may be a doubt for the season opener having sustained an injury in pre-season. While there is nothing official, The Western Weekend reporter Justin Lang hinted there are concerns around the winger.
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