Jarome Luai and Penrith’s Blues contingent were on fire, but Liam Martin could be ruled out of Origin II as the Panthers beat the Roosters 30-6 in a fiery clash at Allianz Stadium.
The match culminated in a double sin-binning with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Spencer Leniu being marched for 10 after sparking an all-in melee in a fiery finale to the game.
Luai set up Stephen Crichton for the first try of the night as the Panthers got off to a flyer.
Martin produced a break to put Dylan Edwards over for a long-range try as the Panthers extended their lead.
Isaah Yeo was denied a try for a double movement early, but wouldn’t be denied a second time as the Panthers pulled out to a 16-point lead.
Luai’s dancing feet set up Brian To’o as the Panthers threatened to run away with it.
Izack Tago scored a long-range try as the Panthers pulled out to a 28-point lead.
Luke Keary and James Tedesco made a try out of nothing to finally get the Roosters on the board.
Martin was ruled out of the game with a category one concussion, which means an 11 day stand down that could rule him out of Origin II.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Spencer Leniu were sent to the sin bin for a heated scuffle as Crichton pushed the lead out to 30-6, which was the final score in another convincing Panthers victory.
BIG HITS
LUAI STAKES ORIGIN CASE IN MASTERCLASS
Just as he did before Origin I Jarome Luai orchestrated a thrashing of the Roosters to put himself in the box seat for the NSW No.6 jersey.
Luai finished with 32 run metres, two tackle busts, an offload, two linebreak assists and two try assists to lead his side to a convincing victory.
Michael Ennis believes Luai again timed his run to perfection ahead of the Blues team being named on Tuesday for game two at Suncorp Stadium.
“Jarome Luai a month ago against the Roosters was brilliant,” Ennis said.
“Tonight he has been an enormous threat changing direction and cutting hard off that left foot.
“He has just pulled them apart out on this right hand side.
“Great skill form Luai bouncing across field with his dancing feet.
“Last time these two sides played it was Luai who really turned it on when everyone was questioning his Origin credentials.
“It was that night the 48-4 thumping of the Roosters where everyone went, no he will be the five-eighth, so much was his dominance. Well tonight he stepped it up again.”
LENIU AND JWH IN DOUBLE SIN-BINNING
There’s been a lot of talk about footy players stepping into the boxing ring, but there can only be one main event with promoters scrambling to set up a heavyweight bout between Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Spencer Leniu.
The old bull and the young buck will be teammates next year but it’s going to be an awkward pre-season after the pair almost came to blows in one of the most heated moments of 2023.
Panthers players were already furious with the Roosters prop after he cocked an elbow that caught Moses Leota high and drew blood, forcing the Panthers big man off for an HIA.
That was just the tip of the iceberg with Waerea-Hargreaves ditching the fuel to literally pour water onto the fire when he squirted a water bottle and then threw it at the Panthers firebrand.
Leniu had to be restrained by teammates who struggled to hold him back as he shouted at his opponent and gave him the mother of all death stares.
Both men were sent to the sin bin but not before Leniu continued his verbal barrage with the fans.
EDWARDS OUTPOINTS TEDESCO IN FULLBACK BATTLE
James Tedesco is at very long odds to be dropped for Origin II, but there is no doubting that Dylan Edwards is closing the gap with the Blues fullback.
In a stunning duel Edwards finished with 166 metres, two tackle busts, an offload, a linebreak and a try to outpoint his Roosters rival.
Cooper Cronk believes Edwards’ consistency at the back for Penrith is amazing.
“Edwards is ever-reliable, continuously working behind the defensive line organising his troops,” Cronk said.
“Then when the game is there to be struck and taken he delivered. He was there supporting Liam Martin who broke through the Tedesco tackle.
“Edwards had 100 metres, a linebreak and a try in the first half. He is a hell of a player.”
Tedesco had 112 metres, three tackle busts, an offload, a linebreak and a try in his final game before Origin II.
Mal Meninga believes Edwards is putting the heat on Tedesco with his consistent level of performance.
“He is putting pressure on James Tedesco and the commentary has been fairly strong about him going into the NSW side,” Meninga said.
“He wouldn’t let the sky blue jersey down there is no doubt about that. He is a terrific player.
“His game is based on effort and he is always there.”
MATCH PREVIEW
Jack Cogger will look to prove he can fill the void left by Nathan Cleary at halfback for the Penrith Panthers as they travel to Allianz Stadium for a clash against the Sydney Roosters.
For the Panthers Zac Hosking drops out with Liam Martin to start and Soni Luke joining the bench.
For the Roosters Billy Smithis out, with Drew Hutchison starting in the centres.
Cleary was ruled out for approximately six weeks after sustaining a hamstring strain during the Panthers’ 26-18 win over the Dragons.
It was a major blow not just for the defending premiers but also the NSW Blues ahead of Origin Game II.
Cogger, who recently spent two seasons with the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League before moving to the foot of the mountains, has been entrusted with halfback duties as Penrith look to continue their dazzling form this season.
The Roosters snapped a three-game losing streak with a 25-24 win over the Bulldogs thanks to a late Luke Keary field goal.
However, Trent Robinson’s side can’t afford to make it four losses in their last five and slip further away from the chasing finals pack.
TEAMS
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Corey Allan 18. Drew Hutchison 5. Junior Pauga 6. Joseph Manu 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Nat Butcher 13. Sitili Tupouniua 14. Sandon Smith 15. Nathan Brown 16. Angus Crichton 17. Matthew Lodge. 18th man: 19. Zach Dockar-Clay
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jack Cogger 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 14. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 22. Soni Luke. 18th man: 19. Luke Garner
