NRL Round 12 2024: Penrith Panthers win 42-0 over Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks seemingly confirmed their premiership credentials after beating the Roosters and Storm, but the Panthers may have exposed them as pretenders, shattering their seven game win streak.
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Jarome Luai gave the Sharks a reality check in the Shire on Saturday night as the Panthers showed the potential premiership contenders who’s boss in a 42-0 rout.
With Origin jerseys on the line and Blues coach Michael Maguire in the stands, Luai carved up the lacklustre Sharks with a try assist, two linebreak assists, eight tackle breaks and a try.
The home side was completely off its game and dropped two straightforward balls in their own half early on.
Two soft tries ensued through James Fisher-Harris and Luai who both went over from close range as the Cronulla goal line defence looked brittle.
Luai wasn’t just doing it with the ball.
His kick pressure on Nicho Hynes forced the Sharks halfback to kick out on the full in the 20th minute.
Hynes again kicked out on the full three minutes later in what was a horror night for the Blues halfback favourite.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said Luai could lead the Blues from halfback if called upon.
“I think he’s been getting better and in the last couple of weeks he’s really stepped it up for us which we needed him to,” Cleary said.
“If he goes into Origin he’s going in feeling pretty good about his form, particularly with his kicking which is an important factor in Origin.
“His kicking was the best it’s ever been tonight.”
As usual Dylan Edwards was outstanding with his energy and ball running as was young five-eighth Jack Cole who was rock-solid in defence and came up with a try of his own.
Having Isaah Yeo in the team is such a luxury for coach Cleary.
Yeo can play lock, front row and halfback all in the same set of six.
“It’s hard to put a value on what he means to our team,” Cleary said.
“His consistency over many seasons has been incredible. Nat’s been out for big chunks of the last four years and this bloke (Yeo) just churns it out every week.
“I give him five minutes off when we’re in front because he’s just too valuable.
“He’s a great leader and if you’re looking for one in the Blues camp, this bloke would be top of the tree.”
NICHO NIGHTMARE
Pre-match, Nicho Hynes basically had the NSW No. 7 jersey but a poor performance capped off by a calf issue now must have Blues coach Maguire wondering if the Shark half is ready for game one.
Hynes made poor errors with the boot and went off in the 33rd minute for a HIA after an innocuous knock.
His troublesome calf was tight in the sheds and he didn’t return in the second half.
Is he ready to be thrown into the pressure of an Origin game in a little over a week?
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said Hynes “wasn’t too bad” after the match.
“With the 15-minute time off (for a HIA) he cooled down and it tightened up so I think he’s OK.
“It was more to do with cooling down and tightening up.
“He was getting through it tonight but it’s (injury) is still there but it’s not completely gone.”
FLAT, FLAT CRONULLA
In front of a sold-out crowd of 13,500 fans, the Sharks were mauled by the champions when there was no excuse.
It was supposed to be the night where Cronulla announced itself as a genuine premiership contender.
But they looked like a team challenging for the wooden spoon.
They were completely flat from the opening minute and their goal line defence was soft.
“We fell short tonight but you’ve got to let go of that because we’re still the same team that we’ve been previously this year,” Sharks lock Cameron McInnes said.
“You’ve got to earn it every week and we learned that tonight.”
The Sharks forwards were dominated in the middle which allowed the likes of Mitch Kenny, Luai and Edwards to thrive.
“We got humbled there and applied no pressure and we were on the end of pressure,” Fitzgibbon said.
“You’d like to start thinking about excuses and finding reasons but we’re not feeling sorry for ourselves.”
At least they didn’t concede 50, so history says they’re still a title hope.
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