NRL Round 2: Penrith Panthers win 26-18 over Parramatta Eels

Nathan Cleary may be their leading man, but it was a handful of unlikely stars who stole the show, as Penrith won the Battle of the West against Parramatta, but the win may have come at a cost.

Sunia Turuva celebrates after scoring a try off an Isaah Yeo kick. Picture: NRL Imagery

A solo sidestepping 30 metre try in the middle of the field. A cross-field pinpoint kick for a flying winger to catch the ball to score.

Sounds like a Dylan Edwards into a Nathan Cleary special which has been a trademark of the pair in recent years. But it was two of the most unlikely of players which tipped a hotly contested local derby in Penrith’s favour. The moments of brilliance overshadowed some judiciary and injury concerns for the defending premiers ahead of their grand final rematch against the Broncos on Thursday night.

The first piece of brilliance came from Moses Leota who usually saves his best performances for grand finals. But of his 13 career tries this was easily the most memorable. Off the back of a retreating defence, Leota put on a hot shoe shuffle to slice through Joey Lussick and Joe Ofahengaue to race almost 30 metres to score.

Moses Leota celebrates after scoring a try, in one of the best moments of the game. Picture: Getty Images

Not content with watching what Leota was able to produce in the first half, co-captain Isaah Yeo sprinkled his own surprise in a match which needed pieces of individual brilliance to help the home side to their first victory of the season.

Yeo somehow found the ball on the last tackle and almost instinctively channelled his inner Cleary to kick the ball in the middle of the field towards the sideline for winger Sunia Turuva to snatch back the lead.

The victory could come at a cost for the Panthers. Jarome Luai was placed on report twice in the first half. Once for a high tackle which left Bailey Simmonson s unable to return just two minutes into the game and the second for a trip on Mitchell Moses. Both will come under the microscope from the match review committee.

Prop James Fisher-Harris failed to finish the game because of a shoulder injury and lasted just 25 minutes before coming from the field.

“He did it early in the game and was losing power. We’ll know more after the scans,” Cleary said.

TAGO DOMINATES MAKESHIFT PARRA CENTRES

Isaah Yeo turned the game for Penrith but Izack Tago was the star as the defending premiers got their season away against Parramatta at home last night.

Yeo’s cross-field bomb to Sunia Turuva in the 52nd minute got the home side in front before Tago bagged a try of his own to give the Panthers an eight-point lead which they never surrendered.

Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary rated Yeo’s technique as “perfect”.

“He might have to start giving me a few tips, Mr conservative,” Cleary said.

“We had a lot of opportunities that we weren’t sealing so to get one like that was nice.”

Panthers fans finally started to see glimpses of the three-time premiers at their best after they struggled to score points in the World Club Challenge and in round 1.

Tago, who signed a $3 million contract extension during the week, carved up the Eels all night with five line breaks and a try as he racked up 229m.

Coach Ivan Cleary said it was good to see a local junior commit to the club long-term.

Sunia Turuva celebrates after scoring a try off an Isaah Yeo kick. Picture: NRL Imagery

“He’s done so much at such a young age and still has a long way in front of him,” Cleary said.

“He looked dangerous all night and he’ll be even better for that run. I don’t think he’s run that far in his life.”

The Eels weren’t helped when Bailey Simonsson went off in the second minute after a high shot from Jarome Luai.

His failed HIA exposed the Eels down the left edge and Tago took full advantage of it all night in front of the sellout crowd of 21,522.

The 26-18 win would have been more dominant had Penrith not bombed a number of tries.

The Panthers hardly let the Eels down their end and Parramatta only had 29 per cent of the field territory in the first half but still strolled over for three soft tries.

The first to hooker Joey Lussick was very soft against a defensive unit which has been the best of the NRL era.

Coach Ivan Cleary was surprised by the lack of urgency early.

Yeo turned the game for Penrith. Picture: Getty Images

“There were some very uncharacteristic defensive lapses that not only kept them in the game but had them in front at halftime,” Cleary said.

“I don’t think you’ll see that again. We just don’t quite have our game together at the moment.

“The second half was very solid and we left a lot of tries out there but the fact we created chances the week after you don’t score a point is pleasing.”

Parramatta clearly didn’t fear Penrith but they just couldn’t get any consistency in the game and let the Panthers off the hook on many occasions.

Bringing Junior Paulo off the bench just before James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota were about to come off was a great move by Arthur and his prop looked dangerous with every carry.

The Panthers were aware of Paulo’s great offloading and even had a player to run behind him to stop him turning and passing while being tackled.

Mitchell Moses is clearly not 100% fit, managing just six runs as he nurses a groin injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

BRAVE PARRAMATTA

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur was critical of a few calls against his men, particularly with the down-town rule which prohibits players protecting kickers on the last tackle.

“I just thought there were some rules changes that needed to be enforced,” he said.

“We’ve adjusted the rules all right.”

The Eels looked cooked with 30 minutes to go but hung in well to keep the game in the balance until the final minutes.

Arthur was happier with his side’s fight this week despite coming off a strong round 1 victory.

“I was proud of them tonight, even more so than last week in the win against the Dogs,” Arthur said.

“I thought we were extremely tough and we didn’t have a lot go our way.

“I didn’t think we did a lot wrong as a footy team. Just a couple of big moments didn’t go our way. We kept fighting right to the end.”

Originally published as NRL Round 2: Penrith Panthers win 26-18 over Parramatta Eels