Blues rookie caps brilliant week by shining for Panthers
Updated ,first published
What a week it’s been for Casey McLean.
Four days after producing a memorable NSW Origin cameo, McLean was Penrith’s hero as they recorded an epic 20-18 win over the New Zealand Warriors.
The Warriors were pressing heavily to win with two minutes left, enjoyed a few sets of replays, then tackled McLean fullback Taine Tuaupiki and released the ball.
The 20-year-old also had a double in the first half; He positioned himself nicely in front of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to catch Jack Cogger’s cross-field strike for his second attempt.
McLean is fun to watch and has a great future. The same can be said for the Panthers and Warriors, who deserve better than kick-off on Sunday evening and have a good chance of meeting on grand final day.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary liked what he saw from McLean against Queensland at Accor Stadium and went so far as to say his performance proved the difference against the Warriors.
“He’s been outstanding, he’s been fantastic, he loves playing against his fellow Kiwis too,” Cleary said.
“I’ve been asked questions about him playing on the wing. [for NSW] I know he played there a few weeks ago but he barely had any reps there. Then he goes out [on Wednesday] in the pouring rain and attacked everything… I’m glad he played for us.”
Stand-in captain Dylan Edwards, who was heartbroken when his Blues dream was rejected, was also one of the Panthers’ stars.
Edwards, who lost the NSW No.1 jersey to James Tedesco, was asked to lead the club by resting Blues trio Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o.
During a 10-minute surge in the second half, Edwards shoved former teammate and Warriors rival James Fisher-Harris and began pinning Paul Alamoti for slipping and allowing the Warriors to try. It was very out of character for the mild-mannered Fisher-Harris, and Edwards reacted by shoving him before the melee began.
Referee Gerard Sutton was clearly unimpressed and read the riot act to the experienced duo.
“This is not up for discussion or debate,” Sutton told both captains.
“There’s a try and you want to get in and get in their face.
“If it starts, you’re going to lose your men; the responsibility is on both of you to get your men out. If you don’t, if it happens again, I’m going to sit someone out. The game is at a critical stage.”
Fisher-Harris stated that he did not say anything to Alamoti, saying after the game: “I only clapped five times, it got a little heated. I know those kids, it was in the heat of battle, we were just having fun out there.”
Edwards’ refusal to back down from one of the most physically imposing men in rugby league sent an excellent message to his team-mates.
He then made a save that could have been a candidate for try of the year as the Warriors had the ball spread out but Edwards brought down Jacob Laban as the last line of defence.
The tireless full-back appeared at the other end of the pitch and delivered the final pass to Alamoti to put Penrith back in front.
Cheeky McLean made a point of giving Fisher-Harris a verbal lashing as he took part in the try celebrations.
Cleary said Edwards took a decent “captain’s shot” and not for the first time.
Penrith will love this win because of the personnel they rested and their try-line defence.
They rarely give teams opportunities to score, and the Warriors bombed a few of those limited opportunities in the first half, which may have cost them the victory.
Laban scored but a four-pointer was disallowed as Ali Leiataua was offside, the final ball from Te Maire Martin to Adam Pompey for a possible four-pointer went forward and Tanner Stowers-Smith knocked in just meters from the line.
The Warriors were amazing and won’t lose any fans, including the locals who attended CommBank Stadium.
After the third week in a row on the road, they will be enjoying the farewell. They will also welcome the return of Origin duo Kurt Capewell and Mitch Barnett.
Center Izack Tago had his best shot of the game against Harris-Tavita, but was later informed he was reported for the buzzer. Luke Garner will be fined for pulling Watene-Zelezniak’s long locks.
