18-03-2025
Panthers backflip on Blaize Talagi decision after return to Parramatta floated
The Penrith Panthers appear to have changed their plans for Blaize Talagi, after the off-season recruit played centre in NSW Cup last weekend. The Panthers signed Talagi from Parramatta at the end of last season, with a view to him playing five-eighth to replace Jarome Luai.
But coach Ivan Cleary caused some shocks in the opening round in Las Vegas when he named Jack Cole at No.6 and left Talagi out of his first-grade team altogether. Talagi played five-eighth in the opening round of the NSW Cup competition, but last weekend he was switched to right centre on game day.
The 20-year-old was named at No.6, but it was Trent Toelau who played five-eighth with Talagi out wider. Talagi had a tackle break and line-break assist in the 38-10 victory, but also missed three tackles. The biggest impediment to him playing five-eighth appears to be his defence.
Talagi mostly played fullback or wing at the Eels last year, but signed with the Panthers for the chance to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves. But last weekend's switch to centre might suggest his path to first grade lies in the outside backs.
Izack Tago is normally the right centre in first-grade, but had a fairly quiet year in 2024 and hasn't set the world on fire to start this season. Cleary could be looking to shake things up after their woeful loss to the Roosters in Round 2, and there are reports winger Casey McLean will make way for Thomas Jenkins for Thursday night's grand final rematch against the Storm.
Talagi's switch to the centres comes after leading reporter Michael Chammas suggested the Eels should come knocking about the potential of getting the 20-year-old back. Talagi left the Eels because Dylan Brown was entrenched as the side's No.6, but Brown has now signed a 10-year deal to join Newcastle in 2026.
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Chammas floated the idea that Parramatta officials should enquire about getting Talagi back if the Panthers are planning to leave him in reserve grade. "If I'm Parramatta, I knock on Penrith's door and I say 'I know you started the year with Blaize in reserve grade, do you have question marks around Blaize in your system (and) is Jack Cole ahead of him?" Chammas said on Triple M radio last week.
"And 'is there any appetite to discuss maybe Blaize Talagi coming back to the club?' I would be asking Penrith the question. You may get told to turn around, get stuffed and go back down the freeway but what have you got to lose? Because when he left, the 6 jersey wasn't available. They offered him the fullback jersey and Gutho (Clint Gutherson) was going to be used as as a utility, (but) he wanted to play 6."
Cleary previously said he was going to be patient with Cole and afford him time to find his feet. "He's just the sort of kid that needs to play in these types of games to build his confidence and his role in the team," the coach said after the Round 1 win over the Sharks.
"It's not easy for him for everyone to keep talking about who he's replacing. It's a little bit like Luke Garner when he first came to our club and replaced 'Kiks' (Viliame Kikau), and also Mitch Kenny when he replaced Api (Koroisau). That took a while because everyone just keeps talking about it."
