After just one top grade game, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur may have pulled off a cunning masterstroke by moving rookie centre Blaize Talagi to the crucial five-eighth slot.
Talagi’s best friend and high school half-partner, Tigers wonderboy Lachlan Galvin, will now face off against each other in this transfer.
Galvin, who is 18 months younger than Talagi, is a “veteran” of two NRL games, yet in his short career, he has dominated the league.
The teenager, who was outstanding in the Tigers’ surprising victory over the Sharks last weekend, possesses uncommon attacking abilities for a teenager.
“Blaize is the expert on Lachie’s game; he is a unique talent,” Westfield Sports High School coach Troy Weeden said to Wide World of Sports.
Brad putting Blaize on notice to watch Lachie wouldn’t surprise me; it will be an interesting matchup.
“They are amazing friends who together with our school won the Buckley Shield a few years ago. They are quite close.”
This week, as the two gifted young players were ready for the greatest game of their brief careers, Weeden called them.Weeden laughed and added, “I called them up and told them they better behave out there.”
“Having just experienced their first NRL victory, they are both ecstatic and eager for Monday to arrive.
“Blaize, who is the more private of the two, didn’t say much. Lachie is more forthcoming and occasionally even a touch cheeky.”
After Eels half Mitchell Moses fractured his foot in last week’s victory over Manly, the two rookies got into a disagreement.
Talagi was unexpectedly moved from centre, where he scored a try the previous week, to five-eighth, but the move has created an interesting battleground.
We appreciate you watching Wide World of Sports’ LIVE coverage of the Panthers vs. Roosters game.
Here is our match report while you wait for more NRL action tomorrow.
Sunia Turuva is set to be a man in demand after his hat-trick against the Roosters.
The Panthers winger is set to go to market and only increased his value.
However, Andrew Johns had a message for the youngster.
“If I was Turuva I wouldn’t be leaving, put it that way … I hope he doesn’t leave,” he said post-match on Nine.
With a hamstring injury, Nathan Cleary was forced to watch from the sidelines tonight. Jarome Luai gave a timeframe for when he might be able to return.
He laughed on Nine’s coverage, saying, “He reckons next week, the prince was just wrapped up in some cotton wool tonight.”
The Panthers win in a close game.
The ball was attempted to be distributed inside the Roosters’ 10-meter line, but Taylan May swatted it down and it left the field.
Over in the corner is Daniel Tupou!
Following a series of passes on the left by the Roosters, Daniel Tupou finished beautifully in the corner.
With twenty-five seconds remaining, the Panthers led 22–16 after the conversion was denied.
