NRL 2020: Panthers extend unbeaten run; Sharks stroll past Cowboys; Warriors stay in finals hunt
Tigers centre Joey Leilua is set for another stint on the sidelines after being cited for a shoulder charge on, yes, Dylan Edwards as the minor premiership-bound Panthers showed their class in a fiery encounter.
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Tension flared at Panthers Stadium as Penrith extended their winning streak to 11 with a 30-6 victory against the Wests Tigers.
The Panthers now have their fingernails on the minor premiership after going five points clear at the top of the ladder, although the second-placed Storm face Manly on Sunday afternoon.
It’s clear the Panthers and Tigers don’t like each other, and they were at it again in another fiery affair.
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Tigers centre Joey Leilua is set for another stint on the sidelines after being cited for a shoulder charge on Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards. It’s not the first time the pair have clashed with Leilua copping a four-match ban earlier this season for a high-shot on the Penrith No.1.
The match review committee will also take a look at Moses Mbye’s potential foul play, where he was seen to kick out at Nathan Cleary.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said his team prepared for a fiery clash and it was no surprise the Tigers came out fighting.
“We expected that. It was there in the last game (against the Tigers). You’ve got to expect that. Teams are looking at us and trying to find ways to beat us,” Cleary said.
PANTHERS PURRING
It was far from Penrith’s best performance of the season, but coach Ivan Cleary will be more than happy to walk away with another two competition points.
Even when this young group of Panthers aren’t at their best, they find a way to win.
“It was a different game. It was good to win in a different style. I thought (the Tigers) started both halves well, but we didn’t offer them much and that was really pleasing,” Cleary said.
“Our control defensively in the last couple of games left a bit to be desired, so we had a big focus on that. I was really happy with that. There were a couple of sets in the match that really changed the momentum.”
Five-eighth Jarome Luai was one of the best players on the field, scoring a classy try and having a hand in a couple more.
“I thought Jarome was really good. He’s started to run the ball a bit more … He’s such a dangerous player and has got a lot of confidence. I thought he was excellent out there,” Cleary said.
With matches against the bottom three teams – Brisbane, North Queensland and Canterbury – still to come, the Panthers are destined to finish on top of the ladder. The only two times they won the minor premiership, they went on to claim the title.
DOWN AND OUT
If you hadn’t already, it’s time to get the red pen out and put a line through the Tigers for 2020 after the 24-point loss.
Although it’s not mathematically over, not even Tigers optimists believe their side can break a nine-year finals drought.
They have lost five of their past six games and are no longer in their familiar position of ninth, slipping behind the Warriors to 10th.
Tigers coach Michael Maguire said he’ll spend the final month of the season to prepare for 2021.
“I know what we need to do and where we need to go. We need to keep our heads down and work towards that,” he said.
“The opportunities this year are closing and closing, but where we want to take the club and what we want to achieve is our focus.”
The Tigers looked up to the fight in the early stages as they scored the opening try of the night when Benji Marshall caught the Panthers napping with a delicate kick to David Nofoaluma.
Not even the return of cult figure Harry Grant from a knee injury could spark the Tigers. Sharing the hooking duties with Jacob Liddle, Grant played 57 minutes and made 51 tackles.
YEO DOWN
Panthers lock Isaah Yeo is in major doubt for Thursday night’s clash against Brisbane after suffering a nasty head knock in the second half.
With a history of concussions, it’s unlikely Yeo will be fit for the five-day turnaround against the struggling Broncos.
The Panthers will however be boosted by the return of star backrower Viliame Kikau, who missed the clash against the Tigers due to suspension, while hooker Api Koroisau (calf) is also a chance to return.
Without Kikau and Koroisau, the Panthers looked sluggish in the opening 30 minutes before they clicked into gear.
Panthers winger Brian To’o was impressive on his return from an ankle injury. The Samoan international recorded 210 metres, eight tackle-breaks and scored a vital try.
Old foes fire up as Sharks close in on finals
Michael Morgan’s season could be over after the rep star limped off during North Queensland’s meek 28-12 loss to the Sharks, extending their horror winless streak to nine matches.
The Cowboys skipper appeared to injure his left calf while pushing off the line in defence and came from the field just as the Sharks had gained momentum at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
It’s another blow for a team already missing powerhouse lock Jason Taumalolo to a similar injury and it continues a year to forget for Morgan who has only managed six games after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier in the season.
“That’s three times this year on a road trip (that we’ve had a player get injured),” caretaker coach Josh Hannay bemoaned.
“The fact he couldn’t come back on, I’d say he’s probably going to miss some time.”
It’s a different story for Cronulla who are now four points clear of the ninth-placed Warriors after they beat the Knights earlier on Saturday in Tamworth.
The Sharks can leapfrog Newcastle when they meet next week, while a win over the Warriors in Round 18 would just about wrap up their spot in the top eight after they were written off by plenty of critics in the pre-season.
“Today was crucial for us, no doubt,” Sharks coach John Morris said.
With their three first-choice halves missing, the Sharks produced one of their most polished performances of the season in both attack and defence, although there’s a slight concern over Josh Dugan who came off late after hurting his knee before half-time.
Old foes clash
The NRL may investigate a half-time scuffle between Andrew Fifita and Josh McGuire as the teams headed up the tunnel.
In his first game back from a finger injury, Fifita had to be dragged away by teammates as tensions threatened to boil over just days after the infamous Battle of Brookvale celebrated its ninth anniversary.
The pair have history after Fifita didn’t take kindly to a post-Origin tweet from McGuire that said “winners have parties, losers have meetings” back in 2016.
Combination conundrum
It’s not just the Cowboys who will have a selection headache next Tuesday.
Sharks coach John Morris is spoiled for choice after stand-in halves Braydon Trindall and Connor Tracey excelled with ball in hand.
Shaun Johnson (groin) is doubtful for next week, while Matt Moylan is unlikely to be recalled after he was dropped for Saturday’s game. Chad Townsend is also expected to be fit for the Knights clash, leaving Morris with several options moving forward.
Trindall was particularly good, setting up Briton Nikora for a first-half try after he had two four-pointers of his own disallowed by the Bunker, while Tracey crossed late in the contest.
“Shaun is a low-grade hamstring so I think he’ll be racing the clock. I don’t like his chances for this week but we’re hoping to get Chad back. Matty, we’ve got to check how he’s going. Hopefully physically and mentally he can be refreshed and be available as well,” Morris said.
Cowboys against men
It’s a good thing the Broncos have dominated the headlines, otherwise the Cowboys would be under far more scrutiny.
The 2015 premiers have won just one of their past 13 matches and could well enter the wooden spoon conversation should the Bulldogs jag a win.
Valentine Holmes’ return from injury was a possible bright spot but he was virtually unsighted against his former side.
Story of the year taking shape as Warriors eye finals
Todd Payten believes his side can play finals footy. And now the rest of the rugby league world is starting to believe it, too.
Remarkable as it sounds, the Warriors are in with a genuine shot of pushing for a top eight spot after belting the Knights 36-6.
Adam Pompey and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored twice in a performance the injury-ravaged Knights will need to quickly forget as it all but ended their top four hopes.
Payten has sparked the turnaround. The Warriors only loss in the past five games has been to competition heavyweights Penrith, and that was just by six.
Young half Chanel Harris-Tavita steered the team around while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was again at his threatening best.
“We’re a good team,” Payten said. “We’re building. The belief is growing. They are enjoying themselves. It’s my job to keep a lid on it. In the same sentence our group that enjoy freedom. If I come and rein them in it can hurt their footy.
“There was just a good feeling around the place. There is confidence and belief. That’s a lethal combination. Everyone is really happy.”
They play an out-of-form Parramatta side next Sunday in a season defining match for both teams.
Payten described the match as their “biggest test” and was hopeful Parramatta contracted loan-players Daniel Alvaro and George Jennings would turn out for his side.
HORROR KNIGHT
It was a performance Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien labelled embarrassing. His team trailed by just two at half-time despite struggling to get in the contest. But O’Brien watched on in horror as his team conceded 28 second-half points.
“I can’t defend it,” O’Brien said.
“I don’t have any excuse it. I’m not sure why we thought we could turn up and start the game the way we did. They have shown a tough brand of footy.
“We’ve been good in patches. That’s the word I would use. We win patchy a lot of the time. The last few weeks we’ve shown resilience especially on our try line. There was none of that today.”
The Knights may also be without David Klemmer for their clash against the Sharks on Friday after the prop was placed on report and sin-binned for a cannon-ball tackle in the final minutes.
Newcastle completed just three of their opening six sets and trailed by eight midway through the opening half.
“You get what you deserve when you turn the ball over,” O’Brien said.
“We need to address it and take the lessons out of it really quickly. I don’t want a performance like that any time of the year.
“It’s quite embarrassing for us as a club. We need to have honest conversations. If we want to get something out of the season.
“We’re a classic example you look too far ahead you run into the car in front. That’s us.”
Gehamat Shibasaki snatched a Mitchell Pearce bomb to score Newcastle’s only try after 20 minutes.
WILLING WARRIOR
Peta Hiku laid on the first points of the match with a well timed ball to winger Pompey who tip-toed near the sideline to score after eight minutes.
Tuivasa-Sheck beat Mitchell Pearce for each of his tries. Jennings and Jazz Tevaga also scored.
Originally published as NRL 2020: Panthers extend unbeaten run; Sharks stroll past Cowboys; Warriors stay in finals hunt
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