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Penrith has allayed issues about its kind with a hard-fought 16-10 defeat of fast-finishing South Sydney, however could have trigger for concern after Nathan Cleary tweaked his ankle and limped by the second half.
The NRL can also be set to analyze claims star Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell was the sufferer of racial abuse from the group on the Penrith house sport as he left the sphere for half-time.
The Panthers felt the absence of departed premiership-winners Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau of their shock season-opening loss to Brisbane however Cleary’s boot re-energized their assault and had them again within the winner’s circle on Thursday night time.
The scoreline didn’t do justice to a contest dominated by the Panthers, however which was virtually snatched by the Rabbitohs and their chief architect Mitchell.
After coming off second-best in a deal with with Alex Johnston, Cleary opted to not kick for objective when an Izack Tago attempt prolonged the Panthers’ result in 8-Zero earlier than the break. He managed to play the sport out, albeit with ankle strapping and a limp.
The ankle grievance got here on the finish of a dominant 40 minutes for the Panthers, who may have been up by greater than 10-Zero at half-time had recruit Luke Garner not been denied two tries and Isaah Yeo one.
Cleary terrorized the again three along with his excessive kicks, particularly inexperienced winger Izaac Thompson, and bought the end result he was after within the third minute.
The ball bounced within the crimson zone and traveled by the fingers of Stephen Crichton to attain on the Panthers’ proper edge.
The Rabbitohs did properly to rebuff the Penrith juggernaut because it rolled ahead and regarded set to enter the break trailing by solely 4 factors.
That was till Jarome Luai broke free down the left aspect and managed to kick for the speedy Tago whilst he was tackled.
South Sydney was sluggish to come back out of half-time and, having been battered by the center all the first half, appeared too drained to mount a comeback when Panthers winger Brian To’o sailed over on the correct aspect within the 52nd minute.
Nonetheless Mitchell’s ball-playing down the left gave the Rabbitohs a sniff, pulling the scoreline again to 16-10 with a attempt by Isaiah Tass within the remaining two minutes.
However Souths had left their run too late as Penrith held on for a significant win.
-AAP
