Jarome Luai’s transfer to the Wests Tigers in 2025 has dominated again pages for the previous few weeks, however the Panthers have a extra urgent difficulty heading into the brand new season with the three-time defending premiers nonetheless attempting to determine who replaces Spencer Leniu on the bench.
Leniu’s transfer to the Roosters has left a gaping gap for Penrith who should now discover somebody to come back on and blast holes via the center towards tiring forwards.
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The Panthers have all the time discovered a option to substitute guys like Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton and Api Koroisau, however specialist props are price their weight in gold and it’s arduous to search out anybody who performs like Leniu.
While he wasn’t somebody who performed massive minutes, the Samoan prop was a wrecking ball of vitality who created loads of room for halves Luai and Nathan Cleary whereas beginning props James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota have been on the bench.
Lindsay Smith had a terrific yr off the bench in 2023 nevertheless it’s an enormous ask for him to play like Leniu, whereas Liam Henry is the frontrunner to win a spot on the bench after they begin their premiership defence in Melbourne.
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“Lindsay Smith is Lindsay Smith. He’s completely different to Spencer,” Fisher-Harris replied when requested if Smith can be the person to switch Leniu.
“There’s no Spencer Leniu here and every player is different, but someone else is going to have to stand up.
“They’ve been competing hard against each other (at training), the boys are hungry and the spot is there for somebody.”
Edge ahead Scott Sorensen says it’s going to be unimaginable to switch Leniu’s explosiveness however has backed Fisher-Harris to take his sport to unprecedented heights after the prop ahead was topped the Golden Boot winner in 2023 after he helped the Kiwis stun Australia on the finish of the yr.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all (to see him take his game to the next level),” he stated.
“He just came back this week to training and he’s as hungry as ever, as diligent as ever and as hard-working as ever.
“That’s taken him to where he is today, and I don’t expect that to change.
“Everyone knows he’s not the most outspoken person, but in terms of leadership and someone who’s an idol and an inspiration, he’s a role model to everyone here with what he does on off the field.
“Every accolade he gets is well-deserved. The amount of work he puts into his game and the way he devotes his body to the team is unbelievable.
“I’m over the moon that he got that award.”
The Panthers will face their first main take a look at towards Wigan within the World Club Challenge subsequent month the place Luai stays in severe doubt as he continues to recuperate from a shoulder harm.
The five-eighth didn’t practice on Tuesday however Sorensen stated it was too early to rule him out of the journey to the UK given he’s carried out strongly when he has skilled.
Luai’s transfer to the Tigers will present an enormous alternative for somebody to play alongside Cleary within the halves subsequent yr, with Brad Schneider, Daine Laurie and Jack Cole the frontrunners.
“The role is being shared around at the moment, but in terms of Romey, he’s looking pretty good at the moment and doing everything he can to be ready for that game in Wigan,” Sorensen stated.
“I’m sure whoever will eventually take that spot will do an amazing job. Daine, Brad and Jack Cole are all options and they’re all having great pre-seasons.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
