Breaking News: The rising star Blaize Talagi will replace Jarome Luai at five-eighth for the Penrith Panthers…read more

Penrith Panthers are preparing for the upcoming NRL season without their former five-eighth, Jarome Luai, who has joined the Wests Tigers. The club is evaluating several candidates to fill the pivotal five-eighth position alongside halfback Nathan Cleary.

 

One of the leading contenders is 19-year-

old Blaize Talagi, who joined the Panthers from the Parramatta Eels. Talagi had an impressive debut season in 2024, scoring 11 tries in 19 appearances. His versatility has been evident, having played in various positions, including the halves and the outside backs. citeturn0search18

 

Talagi has expressed his ambition to secure the five-eighth role and has been proactive in seeking guidance from his predecessor, Jarome Luai. During their time together in the Samoan national team, Talagi aimed to learn from Luai’s experience, particularly regarding his partnership with Nathan Cleary. citeturn0search2

 

However, Penrith’s head coach, Ivan Cleary, has emphasized the importance of managing expectations for Talagi. Cleary noted that while Talagi has shown promise, he is still adapting to the Panthers’ system and recovering from a shoulder surgery that limited his participation in the pre-season. Consequently, other players, such as Jack Cole, who has returned from injury, are also being considered for the five-eighth position. citeturn0search5

 

In summary, while Blaize Talagi is a strong candidate to replace Jarome Luai at five-eighth for the Penrith Panthers, the final decision will depend on his recovery, adaptation to the team’s dynamics, and performance in the lead-up to the season. The coaching staff is carefully evaluating all options to ensure the best fit alongside Nathan Cleary in the halves.

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