Latest news with #BlaizeTalagi
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
No Origin stars, no worries; Panthers in boilover win
An undermanned Penrith have secured a critical 28-18 victory over the high-flying Warriors despite missing their swag of State of Origin stars. The Panthers arrived in Auckland without five stars including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo due to the travel factor from Origin II in Perth to New Zealand. But the rookie outfit shocked the third-ranked hosts in their Saturday clash to bank a third straight win and continue their climb up the NRL ladder. Depending on results the defending premiers could finish inside the top eight at the end of the round for the first time since Las Vegas in the opening round. Winning seven of their past eight matches, the Warriors were expected to outclass Penrith but the Panthers' young halves Blaize Talagi and Brad Schneider stood up to steer the visitors home. Talagi won't be stopped 🔥 #NRLWarriorsPanthers Telstra Moment of the Match. — NRL (@NRL) June 21, 2025 With Moses Leota leading the way up front with 147 run metres, second rower Scott Sorensen also stood tall, scoring two of their five tries. The Warriors weren't helped by losing Marata Niukore to a head knock 10 minutes into the match and then winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury. Sorensen went on report for the tackle that ended Watene-Zelezniak's night. Trailing 6-8 at halftime, the Warriors' hopes of a big finish were also hobbled as halfback Luke Metcalf struggled with a quad injury. The Panthers started with a bang with Sorensen held up over the line early but they made no mistake in the 16th minute when centre Casey McLean found winger Tom Jenkins, who bagged a hat-trick last week. In a pulsating contest the Warriors soon levelled with a ball bouncing up for Jackson Ford after Leka Halasima skittled Penrith players leaping for a Metcalf bomb. Sorensen again put his team ahead, scoring his first try with three minutes remaining in the half. The Warriors edged ahead soon after the break through Jacob Laban but the full house at Go Media Stadium had little to cheer about until a 78th minute consolation try by Moala Graham-Taufa. In the meantime, the Panthers piled on a further three tries, with Talagi and winger Paul Alamoti getting in on the action, to seal the win.
News.com.au
10-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Late pen sinks Tigers – Benji blows up!
NRL: Jarome Luai was penalised for a late shot on Blaize Talagi with the scores tied at 10-all, giving Penrith the lead with coach Benji Marshall not being happy about it.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Benji Marshall fumes at match officials and claims he 'feels sorry for his players' as Nathan Cleary's Panthers have the last laugh against Jarome Luai's Wests Tigers
A seething Benji Marshall admitted he 'felt sorry' for his players, as he fumed at referees for two controversial calls against star man Jarome Luai, following his side's 18-14 defeat by Penrith. Nathan Cleary 's side had the last laugh over their former five-eighth, Luai, as they leapfrogged the Tigers to go one point clear of them in the NRL ladder. Luai had a mixed reunion with the Panthers, playing a hand in all of the Tigers' three tries but gifting Penrith penalties ahead of two game-defining scores in Sunday's second half at CommBank Stadium. After the teams were locked at 10-10 at halftime, Cleary kicked for goal to put Penrith ahead after Luai tackled Penrith's new five-eighth Blaize Talagi. The four-time reigning premiers later scored off an escort penalty, conceded by Luai. Sat next to the Tigers' five-eighth, Marshall unloaded on referees, appearing to claim they were too involved in the contest. 'I thought it was one of our best performances of the year,' the Tigers boss said, reflecting on the loss. 'We're playing against quality opposition that play at a really good level. 'They test you with their attack. Probably got the best kicking game in the competition. And we went toe to toe with them. And I honestly thought we were the better side tonight. 'The game is so hard and demanding. And I actually feel sorry for our players because they didn't actually get to decide tonight. 'I thought two calls, the first one on Jarome, on last, making a tackle. I thought it was outrageous. That decision took them to 12-10. 'And the second one, he got done for an escort, which I thought was bad too. And then they scored off the back of that set. Just let them decide. Let them play. 'The game is actually hard enough. So I'm proud of our boys and proud of the effort. And we'll keep fighting and turning up like that the way we did tonight and keep improving.' On reflection on the escort penalty, Marshall said he would be taking his concerns up with the NRL. 'Absolutely,' he said, when asked whether he'd get in touch with the league. He again affirmed that the escort penalty was the 'wrong call'. 'I agree with protecting the kickers, but he didn't take his legs out. They didn't put him in a dangerous position. It was simultaneous when he kicked it and he made contact there. Like, that's not a penalty. 'I'm all for protecting kickers. Don't get me wrong. OK, I just I thought it was the wrong call. And I thought it actually cost us because we're in a cycle there where they got field position, kicked the goal, got the ball back, went down, got a penalty and then scored, so anyway, I've had my rant.' Luai, meanwhile, was a little more reserved in his comments. 'I think the ref gave me the explanation of it was a bit careless. So, I understand the rules and in that moment, you know, I understood what I was doing. He's just in the rules.' But interestingly, that was when Marshall quickly interjected, saying: 'He's saying he doesn't want to make any comments.' Despite the contentious penalty, the Tigers' co-captain almost helped his team to victory in the final 10 minutes when Jack Bird regathered his bomb close to the line and offloaded to Jahream Bula. But a miraculous cover tackle from Scott Sorensen and Nathan Cleary stopped the fullback inches short of the line and the Panthers held on. Marking the Tigers' other ex-Panther in Sunia Turuva, left winger Tom Jenkins scored his first hat-trick in a win that keeps Penrith's mid-season resurgence humming. An away clash against the Warriors is set to prove a litmus test in a fortnight, with Penrith only able to lose four more games this season to finish with a 50 per cent winning record. Three-time reigning wooden spooners the Tigers head into their bye on a four-game losing streak that threatens to undo their improved start to the season. Jenkins completed his hat-trick, crossing just after Luai was cited for collecting Liam Martin on a kick chase. But Luai had been involved in everything the Tigers did well in a better first half for Benji Marshall's side. He first put boot to ball from his non-preferred right foot ahead of Starford To'a's try before again swinging to the right side as the Tigers shifted for Turuva to score. The 28-year-old was at the centre of another memorable moment early in the second half, flooring opposite man and long-term teammate Cleary in a bone-crunching one-on-one tackle. In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Jeral Skelton gave the Tigers a sniff with 10 minutes to play as Luai and Adam Doueihi found him on the left wing. But for a second consecutive week, the Panthers rediscovered their gritty best to hit their second bye in form.
News.com.au
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Blaize Talagi starting to fire ahead of showdown with former side
Blaize Talagi hasn't given his new Penrith teammates any inside information on what to expect from his former side on Sunday afternoon, with the five-eighth hoping to get one over the Eels in a blockbuster battle of the west. Parramatta fans thought Talagi would be their next superstar – especially with whispers Clint Gutherson was on the way out – but they now have to cheer on an Eels side missing their former skipper and one of the hottest young talents in the NRL. Talagi broke their hearts when he told the club he wanted to leave last year, and it only got worse when their noisy neighbours signed him to replace Jarome Luai. He now returns to CommBank Stadium to take on his old club, with Penrith needing a win to get off the foot of the table, with the Eels hoping to heap more pain on the champions. Off-season shoulder surgery slowed down his partnership with Nathan Cleary, with Talagi forced to start the year in reserve grade before he finally earnt a start in round 6. It was a clunky start but the young gun has quickly found his feet, headlined by four try assists against the Cowboys a few weeks ago when he only had eight in 19 games last year. 'He's really starting to grow in belief,' veteran back-rower Scott Sorensen said ahead of his return from suspension. 'Everyone is working hard, and he's right up there in working really hard on his game and understanding our system and his role in defence and attack. 'I think his confidence is starting to build, which is really exciting. 'Being out, you get to have a bit of a bird's-eye view on it. It's awesome to see his game grow, and his voice has grown as well. 'That comes with confidence and working on his combination with Nathan.' Questions were being asked in the early rounds when Talagi wasn't getting picked, while plenty of tough judges were quick to sink the boot in when Penrith were losing with him in the team. But he's starting to look more comfortable every week and hasn't been afraid to over call his famous halves partner if he sees something brewing on the left. 'He hasn't really missed a beat,' Sorensen said. 'He obviously had his shoulder surgery (in the pre-season) and I'm sure that would have played a part in building confidence and getting back into it. 'He just hasn't looked backwards. He's tried to grow and accept that this is his position now. He's been patient. There's a lot of outside noise, but he's believed in what's happening in the four walls here. 'I'm sure he's had conversations with Ivan, and you can see that he's taken his time to grow and learn our system. He's starting to blossom which is nice to see.' Outside back Tom Jenkins played against his former side the Knights last week but said Talagi hadn't even brought up Parramatta ahead of this weekend's grudge match. Jenkins was on the end of a stunning chip kick from Talagi to score against the Cowboys and said the young half's enthusiasm had been crucial for the four-time defending premiers who aren't stressing about being last on the ladder. 'I love playing with Blaize. He always brings the energy and he's one of those X-factor players that we look for,' he said. 'You never know what's going to happen around him, but it's usually pretty good. 'I didn't get to see him in pre-season, but from round 1 to now, it's clear to everyone that he's found his feet and he's developed.'
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Panthers backflip on Blaize Talagi decision after return to Parramatta floated
The Penrith Panthers appear to have changed their plans for Blaize Talagi, after the off-season recruit played centre in NSW Cup last weekend. The Panthers signed Talagi from Parramatta at the end of last season, with a view to him playing five-eighth to replace Jarome Luai. But coach Ivan Cleary caused some shocks in the opening round in Las Vegas when he named Jack Cole at No.6 and left Talagi out of his first-grade team altogether. Talagi played five-eighth in the opening round of the NSW Cup competition, but last weekend he was switched to right centre on game day. The 20-year-old was named at No.6, but it was Trent Toelau who played five-eighth with Talagi out wider. Talagi had a tackle break and line-break assist in the 38-10 victory, but also missed three tackles. The biggest impediment to him playing five-eighth appears to be his defence. Talagi mostly played fullback or wing at the Eels last year, but signed with the Panthers for the chance to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves. But last weekend's switch to centre might suggest his path to first grade lies in the outside backs. Izack Tago is normally the right centre in first-grade, but had a fairly quiet year in 2024 and hasn't set the world on fire to start this season. Cleary could be looking to shake things up after their woeful loss to the Roosters in Round 2, and there are reports winger Casey McLean will make way for Thomas Jenkins for Thursday night's grand final rematch against the Storm. Talagi's switch to the centres comes after leading reporter Michael Chammas suggested the Eels should come knocking about the potential of getting the 20-year-old back. Talagi left the Eels because Dylan Brown was entrenched as the side's No.6, but Brown has now signed a 10-year deal to join Newcastle in 2026. RELATED: Michael Maguire's brutal act towards Reece Walsh that could backfire Broncos urged to use risky tactic in negotiations with Selwyn Cobbo Chammas floated the idea that Parramatta officials should enquire about getting Talagi back if the Panthers are planning to leave him in reserve grade. "If I'm Parramatta, I knock on Penrith's door and I say 'I know you started the year with Blaize in reserve grade, do you have question marks around Blaize in your system (and) is Jack Cole ahead of him?" Chammas said on Triple M radio last week. "And 'is there any appetite to discuss maybe Blaize Talagi coming back to the club?' I would be asking Penrith the question. You may get told to turn around, get stuffed and go back down the freeway but what have you got to lose? Because when he left, the 6 jersey wasn't available. They offered him the fullback jersey and Gutho (Clint Gutherson) was going to be used as as a utility, (but) he wanted to play 6." Cleary previously said he was going to be patient with Cole and afford him time to find his feet. "He's just the sort of kid that needs to play in these types of games to build his confidence and his role in the team," the coach said after the Round 1 win over the Sharks. "It's not easy for him for everyone to keep talking about who he's replacing. It's a little bit like Luke Garner when he first came to our club and replaced 'Kiks' (Viliame Kikau), and also Mitch Kenny when he replaced Api (Koroisau). That took a while because everyone just keeps talking about it."
