Club World Challenge Penrith Panthers v St Helens: All the latest news and updates
Thunderstorms caused havoc and a delayed halftime kick off, as the Panthers’ unlucky World Cup Challenge run continued in a golden point thriller.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
It took the might of England to do what every other NRL team have wanted to do for the past two years.
The invincible Panthers have been dethroned, unable to claim a historic club-first World Club Challenge trophy by going down 13-12 in golden-point to a defiant St Helens.
In a thrilling contest, St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd crushed the hearts of Panthers fans with a 25-metre golden-point field-goal.
“It’s a dream come true,’’ an elated Dodd said.
The English Super League champions were on a mission from the opening whistle, adopting a physical and fearless playing style designed to upset the rhythm of the 2022 NRL premiers on their home soil.
Penrith were brave to fight back from 12-0 nil down in the second-half, but without Api Koroisau’s attacking smarts and Viliame Kikau’s physicality the Panthers were well short of the team that had won 67 of 78 games since 2020.
For Panthers fans who attended BlueBet Stadium, the majority making up the 13,873 crowd, the question in the countdown to the NRL season kick-off will be, is Penrith’s reign over the entire NRL finally over?
CLUNKY PANTHERS
Koroisau and Kikau’s absence from the Penrith line-up, with both premiership-winning players now preparing to play for the Wests Tigers and Bulldogs respectively, was glaring.
Mitch Kenny took at dummy-half while Wests Tigers recruit Luke Garner played on the Panthers left-edge, usually housed by Kikau.
Nathan Cleary’s ability to play with confidence to his left-side was lacking.
Kenny left the field in the 32nd minute - before later returning - for a HIA which only added to the disconnection in the Panthers attack.
HURT LOCKER
The Panthers were without a stack of big guns.
Aside from beginning life without Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Kikau (Bulldogs), Charlie Staines (Wests Tigers) and Sean O’Sullivan (Dolphins) at the club, rested from the St Helens title fight were Liam Martin (shoulder), Dylan Edwards (hamstring) and Scott Sorensen (ribs).
The key trio are all expected to be fit for selection for round one when the Panthers host the Broncos on Friday March 3 at BlueBet Stadium.
Winger Taylan May (knee) also left the field in the 32nd minute and failed to return.
Penrith officials were confident May would be available for his next match, which is round five due to a suspension he must serve from last year.
FIRST FOR EVERYTHING
Why were Penrith so late to the party, only firing up when the match was on the line?
Perhaps it had something to do with the World Club Challenge being the first hitout for star halves Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Neither played in Penrith’s first trial match of the year last week against the Eels.
It was also Stephen Crichton’s first run at fullback, asked to run a stack of metres in his first hitout of the year.
With nine players involved in last year’s World Cup, the Panthers pre-season has been stunted by a severely short preparation for the new season.
OH WELL
The sooner St Helens and England World Cup squad member Jack Welsby gets to the NRL the better.
Still just 21, he may have come up with the an ill-timed error by spilling a Stephen Crichton bomb that would send the match to extra time, but he is a special talent.
His resume is top-draw, having already won three Super League Grand Finals a Challenge Cup final and now the experience of playing - and matching strides with the best in the NRL - in a World Club Challenge in Australia.
Wellsby’s brilliant support play opened the scoring for Saints, yet it was his outstanding try-save, holding up Nathan Cleary over the tryline in the first half that indicated the six-foot-two fullback has an all-round game to give the NRL a real shake.
YES SIRRO
Who said Curtis Sironen’s NRL career was over? The former Wests Tigers and Sea Eagles backrower was superb for St Helens on the right-edge.
Running for over 180-metres, Sironen was a physical asset for the Super League champions, producing three tackle busts, a line-break and a game-defining try-assist for Wellsby to score.
At 29-years of age, Sironen still has plenty of football in front of him.
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE: WHICH ST HELENS PLAYERS CAN CRACK NRL
—Matt Encarnacion, Tyson Jackson
English Super League champions St Helens have come to Australia to prove they are the best team in the world and got off to a hot start with a 12-point victory against the Dragons.
This week they face the reigning NRL premiers in Penrith, who have won back-to-back premierships and made three straight grand finals.
But the Saints have been dominant themselves, boasting four straight Super League titles, including the World Club Challenge title in 2017.
Only one player from their side that triumphed over Leeds has made the trip to Sydney, while the Panthers will be without four in Api Koroisau, Viliame Kikau, Charlie Staines, and Dylan Edwards.
From veteran James Roby to 21-year-old star Jack Welsby to former State of Origin star Will Hopoate, we run the rule over the Saints squad and who could crack it in the NRL.
1. JACK WELSBY
At only 21, Welsby would be a perfect fit for the NRL and is undoubtedly the one to watch.
Australian fans got a good look at the England international during the World Cup, but he also impressed by having a hand in a number of tries against the Dragons, scoring one himself.
Welsby can play anywhere in the backline, but he could be just the game-breaking star a new team like the Dolphins could use. Had the third most try assists in the Super League last year.
2. TOMMY MAKINSON
He might be 32, but Makinson is one of the world’s top wingers and pointscorers, having led the Super League with 230 points and was third in tries. He was also best on ground against the Dragons last week.
His experience would come in handy for a team like the Titans.
3. WILL HOPOATE
A premiership with Manly, and five Origin games with NSW, Hopoate has just about done it all in rugby league so it’s no surprise success followed him in the UK.
While still capable, silky ball skills and all, the 30-year-old is unlikely to return to the NRL.
4. MARK PERCIVAL
Scored nine tries in 17 games for the Saints last year, including the one that sealed their fourth straight title. At 28 years of age, a move down under isn’t on the radar but the English international would still be a handy pick-up for a club in need of a solid three-quarter.
5. JONATHAN BENNISON
Bennison is a relatively unknown name compared to the rest of the backline but has showed his ability playing fullback and scoring a try in last year’s Super League grand final.
The 20-year-old has only played one full season but is expected to break out and be on the radar of NRL clubs.
6. JOHNNY LOMAX
Lomax has done almost everything in rugby league but played in the NRL, even though there were numerous opportunities throughout his career to do so.
Still, the 32-year-old remains one of Super League’s finest talents, having claimed man-of-the-match honours in last year’s grand final triumph, as well as playing in all four title sides.
7. LEWIS DODD
Lewis Dodd has generated a lot of hype, having already won a Super League premiership in 2021, but missed most of last season with an achilles rupture.
The 21-year-old has a lot of wraps and could be a good fit for a team like the Raiders, who have a history of signing good English players, to eventually take over from Jamal Fogarty.
8. ALEX WALMSLEY
Some judges consider Walmsley one of, if not the best, front-rowers in the world. He’s been a part of all four of the Saints’ titles and was among the league leaders in metres last year. He even sleepwalked through a game-high 185 metres in limited minutes last week.
Like others in his team he may have missed his opportunity to join the NRL, but will show Australia fans what they missed out on when he locks horns with James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota. Expect fireworks galore.
9. JAMES ROBY
At 37 and still playing at the highest level, there’s a reason why they call him the English version of Cameron Smith.
The Saints captain holds the record for most club games, has two grand final man-of-the-match awards, played in three grand finals, and 11 Tests for England.
It’s a crying shame he didn’t test himself in the NRL, but he’ll still go down as one of the best to lace up the boots.
10. MATTY LEES
Matty Lees may be one of the best prospects coming out of the UK with his tough carries and solid defence being a big reason for St Helens history making success.
Recently re-signed with the Saints, but at 25 and a current English international, there is still enough time for him to make the move, especially at a club like the Tigers which could bolster their stacked forward pack.
11. SIONE MATA’UTIA
One of Newcastle’s favourite sons, the former Kangaroos representative raised eyebrows when he left Australia at just 24 years of age.
But he has thrived in St Helens, winning two premierships and losing just six of 42 games.
Two years on and the door may still be open for him for a homecoming, and he’d be a handy addition back on the edge alongside someone like Kalyn Ponga.
16. CURTIS SIRONEN
Was a staple of the Sea Eagles edge for five years before joining the Saints, where he also cemented himself as the starting second-rower.
Impressed in limited minutes against the Dragons last week, making 92 metres, busting three tackles and setting up a try.
At 29, the son of Tigers great Paul is all but certain to finish his career in the UK.
13. MORGAN KNOWLES
Makes his return to the side after missing last week’s game through illness. The Wales and English international is considered the best No. 13 in the Super League, having been a part of all four of their title triumphs and selected in their ‘Dream Team’ three straight years.
It sets up a fascinating battle with Isaah Yeo, who has won back-to-back titles and Dally M Lock of the Year awards.
Numerous NRL clubs called when he was off-contract two years ago, but he signed a long-term deal to remain with the Saints.
14. JOEY LUSSICK
Lussick puts the journey in journeyman, having gone from Manly, to Salford, to Parramatta, and then St Helens, where he was a part of last year’s grand final as Roby’s back-up.
At 27 years of age, a return to the NRL isn’t out of the question, but with two years still on his deal, he may just be the perfect replacement to step into Roby’s boots down the line.
15. LOUIE MCCARTHY-SCARSBROOK
The second 37-year-old in the side, having played close to 350 games for the club and almost 450 in total, is all but certain to be calling it quits after this season.
The veteran front-rower is arguably the most popular member of the team, having played in the past three premiership wins.
17. AGNATIUS PAASI
Played over 100 games in seven seasons between the Warriors and Titans before departing for the Super League, where he has mainly come off the bench.
But the 31-year-old still has a knack for stepping up on occasion, as he did when he started for the Saints in last year’s grand final win.
Was one of just two Saints forwards to crack the 100-metre mark against the Dragons last week.
19. JAMES BELL
Is expected to get the final bench spot after filling in for Knowles last week.
Had a couple of games with the Warriors at the start of the year and has been bouncing around the Super League since, finding a home at the Saints.
The 28-year-old second-rower mainly played off the bench last year but agonisingly missed out on grand final selection despite playing in the semi-final.
NRL Rich 100: Walsh among nine snubbed Maroons stars
Reece Walsh is among a posse of Queensland Origin stars that didn’t make the 2024 Rich 100 list, in proof that big bucks doesn’t guarantee big-name performances. See the analysis of notable omissions and underperforming inclusions.
Coach unleashes blistering NRL attack
Outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at the NRL as he launched a scathing attack on the controversial Bunker system.