NRL 2022: Panthers rookie Izack Tago ready to step up for premiers
The latest junior to come off the Penrith production line is set to step up and fill the hole left by Matt Burton’s departure.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Penrith teenager Izack Tago looms as the player set to fill the sizeable hole left by grand final hero Matt Burton for their season-opener against Manly.
For the second trial in a row, 19-year-old Tago will play left centre for the defending premiers in their final warm-up, against Parramatta, on Saturday night.
The St Marys product is the latest junior to come off their production line, which formed the foundation to their breakthrough grand final triumph last year.
Star five-eighth Jarome Luai forged a formidable left side combination with former teammate and makeshift centre in Burton, and is now hoping to emulate the same with Tago.
“Most likely, yeah [Tago will play in round one],” Luai said.
“But the coach is still looking at who will fit that role positionally.
“He’s done some really good things out here on the training field and has put his hand up for that position … he’s a young boy and hasn’t played much first grade and has done a lot of good stuff out here [at training].
“If he gets more game time I would be really keen to build a combination with him.”
Tago grew up idolising the likes of behemoth backrowers Sonny Bill Williams and teammate Viliame Kikau. Despite playing in the second-row coming through the ranks, Tago, who made his debut last season, conceded his “lean” frame made him better suited to the outside backs.
“I played in the back row in all my junior footy but I switched to centre last year. But I think it was a pretty organic move, I’m actually pretty lean for a second-row so it wasn’t too hard for me to change to centre,” Tago said.
“I feel like my future is at centre now but I want to be able to play multiple positions. I want to have back-row in my arsenal too though.”
“I got six games last year and got a taste for it. I’m looking forward to round one and if I’m picked I plan to make the most of it.”
With Stephen Crichton moving back from the wing to right centre, Charlie Staines and Robert Jennings are the pair most likely to earn a spot on the right edge.
But Luai also hinted at a third option in rookie Sunia Turuva, who is on Ivan Cleary’s extended bench to face the Eels.
“That’s my guy, man. He brings a lot of energy to the team and he hasn’t played a game yet. But it feels like he’s a veteran in a way,” Luai said.
“I’m really hoping he gets his opportunity some time this year. He’s a good communicator, that’s what you need to be in first grade. He’s a bit small, similar to Bizza [Brian To’o] but he holds his own out there.”
Parramatta will field close to a full strength side with Ryan Matterson coming in for the injured Nathan Brown. Sean Russell will take Haze Dunster’s place on the wing after Dunster suffered a season-ending knee injury last weekend.
Panthers superstars make huge World Cup calls
A number of Penrith stars are considering pledging their allegiance to Toa Samoa ahead of the Australian Kangaroos for this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
Five-eighth Jarome Luai, winger Brian To’o and centre Stephen Crichton are eligible to play for both the Green and Gold and in the blue of Samoa.
“I think so, yeah,” Luai said when asked if his decision to pick Samoa would be influenced by the choice of his close friends and teammates.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
“We might discuss it here and there just about (the World Cup) … Bizza and I have already experienced that together.”
But blockbusting winger To’o revealed his current preference is to push for a spot in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos outfit.
“I had a little discussion with my parents and they definitely want me to play for Australia,” To’o told AAP.
“They are always mentioning how hard it is to make the Australian team.
“My parents are getting old now and if I ever got the chance to play for Australia then I’d definitely tick that box.
“If not then I can always fall back on Samoa.”
Before helping the NSW Blues to Origin victory last year, Luai and To’o played alongside each other for Samoa in a Test match back in 2019.
Meninga created a furore last year after questioning the State of Origin selection of Luai and other Polynesian players who were not committed to the Australian jersey.
Meninga believes players selected to play for their state must ‘first and foremost’ make themselves available for the Kangaroos.
Polynesian players now make up over 50 per cent of all players in the NRL and want to be able to proudly represent their cultures on the world stage.
When asked about Meninga’s comments regarding his own Blues selection, Luai said: “Just for me, on the international stage I think you should just do what you’re drawn most to, what you grew up knowing. I think it’s personal preference rather than just rules.”
“A lot of us here (at Penrith) are Samoan so it would be pretty nice to lace up the boots with the boys and represent our families.
“Learning about your roots and your culture, finding a connection back to your family and that.
“Family is pretty high up there for me so I look forward to those games.”
This week, Meninga raised eyebrows again after declaring Manly halfback and incumbent Daly Cherry Evans was still ahead of Penrith’s Nathan Cleary in the race for the Kangaroos no. 7 jumper.
Despite missing game three through injury, Cleary was instrumental in the Blues’ series win last year and then went on to lead his club side to premiership victory in the grand final against South Sydney, earning the Clive Churchill Medal for best on ground at Suncorp Stadium.
“It’s probably fair enough, Daly has been there before and he’s a great player,” Cleary said.
“He’s obviously a good leader, too. It’s a fair way away but I’d love the opportunity to play for Australia. It’s not something on my mind at the moment. I just want to play well for Penrith and see where it takes me.”
The halfback duel between the two could potentially start as soon as round one, when the defending premiers take on the Sea Eagles in front of a home crowd at Bluebet Stadium.
Cleary now has two weeks to be ready for the season opener after spending the summer recovering from shoulder surgery.
The 24-year old is ‘hopeful’ of being able to line-up but refused to declare himself as a certain starter against Cherry-Evans’ Sea Eagles.
If Cleary does take the field, he insisted getting one up on Cherry-Evans in the battle for the Kangaroos halfback spot would not be the motivating factor.
“I try and get up for every game. I’m self driven in that aspect, I want to be better in every game I play, it doesn’t matter who I’m playing.
“I’m constantly trying to better myself for the team and improve.
“It’s always good to test yourself against the best but it’s not an individual game, it’s not a one v one contest,” Cleary said.
While Cleary reminded coy about his genuine round one chances, Penrith are confident he will run out against Cherry Evans and Dally M medallist Tom Trbojevic in a dream season opener for the NRL.
Cleary’s teammates revealed on Thursday they are no longer holding back against the 24-year old during contact training.
“It’s hard to gauge because I have never had it before, but it’s feeling better than it was at the end of last year,” Cleary said.
“I would like to be out there. It will be a pretty big occasion at our home ground against a good team like Manly.
“It’s just in the last stages at the moment and … it’s probably just the full contact aspect.
“Hopefully (we can) do that over the next two weeks and be able to gain some confidence.”
‘The No. 1 sport in Australia’: PVL reveals record revenue for rugby league
Rugby league has dethroned the AFL as the most watched TV sport in Australia and is on track to break through the billion dollar revenue mark.
Brent Read: Why it’s time for the Eels to let Gutho go
Clint Gutherson is still one of the best players at the Parramatta Eels, but the arguments for letting him leave may well outweigh the reasons to fight for him to stay, writes BRENT READ.