‘We didn’t do the job last time’: Panthers must address one key issue after falling apart defensively without Origin stars

The Panthers must fix one key area of their game as they look to pull off a massive upset in New Zealand without their State of Origin stars.

Veteran Panthers prop Moses Leota says the team’s experienced guys “didn’t do the job” when their State of Origin stars were missing for the game against Newcastle, with defence the key focus when the premiers travel to take on the Warriors.

Panthers players are fresh off the bye but they haven’t forgotten what happened to them in round 12 when they were caught off guard by an early Newcastle blitz that gave the Knights a 24-0 lead in the first half.

Penrith won the second half but the damage was already done, with the four-time defending premiers missing a whopping 55 tackles as Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Lucas carved them up on the edges.

The Panthers fell apart defensively without their Origin stars in Bathurst a few weeks ago. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Things won’t get any easier on Saturday after coach Ivan Cleary suggested Origin stars Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin would not make the trip from Perth to Auckland, while Lindsay Smith is expected to play given he won’t see any minutes on Wednesday.

It’s a big ask for the rest of the team to get the job done, with Penrith sitting in ninth spot following a couple of gritty wins before the bye.

“We didn’t do the job the last time the Origin boys were out, so we’re trying to build something this week,” Leota said.

“We weren’t defending well as a team (against the Knights). We pride ourselves on our defence, but in that game, it didn’t look like that was the case. We need to fix that this time.

“Hopefully, us leaders can help all the young boys and push them through.”

The Roosters have shown how special wins can be without their Origin stars, with Penrith hoping to pull off a massive upset across the ditch against a team that is fighting for the minor premiership.

“This really tests the culture of the club, and I have no doubt that the boys will get up for it,” Isaiah Papali’i said.

“As the older players, we have to lead from the front and do our job. We have to be prepared to help out anyone who needs help in their preparation or on the day of the game.

Isaiah Papali'i became a father for the first time while out injured earlier this year. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“This game is pretty massive for us as a whole club. There are guys who will get opportunities that they don’t usually see, and this is a good test for us against a team that’s in form and playing at home.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Papali’i didn’t play in the Knights game because of a knee injury, but it turned out to be a “blessing in disguise” for the Panthers recruit who became a father that weekend.

“It was quite annoying to get hurt, but it was a bit of a blessing in disguise because the weekend of that game in Bathurst, I had my first child,” he said.

“That put things in perspective and shows that things happen for a reason.

“Although I wanted to play and keep building on some good form, it worked out because I came back refreshed and had a newborn son.”