Panthers power to record victory over Newcastle
ent lift in the side’s intensity and he looked at home running and directing plays while throwing himself into everything on both sides of the ball.
His final test will come when the Warriors complete their preparations for their first transtasman trip of the season at Mt Smart Stadium this morning, before departing Auckland later in the day.
Despite such a long layoff, Foran — one of the best and toughest players in the game — possesses the experience and mental strength to approach his comeback game with confidence.
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney has no doubts he’ll make a smooth transition into the team alongside Kiwis halves partner Shaun Johnson, and believes his presence will provide a boost after consecutive defeats to the Storm and Bulldogs.
“If he does play, you’ll see the effect of that on Sunday,” said Kearney. “I’ve got no doubt that it would [ give the side a lift] but he’s been part of the group for the whole pre- season. He’s been in and out in terms of [ team] training. That really hasn’t changed.
“Players like that, that’s when they come to life, on game day. They are Penrith have shown why they were considered premiership material in the pre- season with a seven- try shutout of a hapless Newcastle.
Promising five- eighth Te Maire Martin enjoyed his most enterprising outing since his return from major shoulder surgery in last night’s rout, the Panthers biggest ever win over the Knights.
It was also the second time in three weeks they kept their opposition tryless, bumping up their points differential and temporarily jumping from 11th to fourth on the NRL ladder.
“Penrith aren’t the premiership that sort of competitive characters and he’s from that mould.”
He faces a tough initiation, with the Warriors having a terrible away record against the Red V and hopes favourites for no reason. They got us when they were far more committed,” Knights coach Nathan Brown lamented.
Martin scored one try and was involved in two more, while veteran Peter Wallace put in a vintage performance at dummy- half that had commentators talking of a State of Origin recall.
In front of a season- best 10,567 high that he will provide an instant fix to the side’s malfunctioning backline.
His return to Sydney will also bring added pressures, with local media eager to question him about a myriad crowd for the NRL’s controversial early Friday fixture, Penrith enjoyed more than 60 per cent possession and almost double the plays in good- ball position.
Penrith coach Anthony Griffin was pleased with the way his men bounced back following their dramatic two- point loss to the table- topping Roosters last week.
“You always love to see a zero scoreline, it’s not easy to do at this level,” he said. “Newcastle, they’re a very good side. They come into this game second in line breaks, they’ve scored 20 points a game, I thought we were a lot more effective in attack [ last night]. We put out a lot of energy last week and come up of matters, including his controversial contract registration by the NRL last month, the uncertainty surrounding the suspension that stopped him from being eligible to play the first t wo with nothing on the scoreboard, so it was important we bounce back and we did.”
A blowout didn’t look likely in the opening 20 minutes, when a try to winger Watene- Zelezniak was all that separated the sides. However, the Panthers turned on the afterburners with a run of three tries in 10 minutes, instigated by rookie Corey Harawira- Naera and Martin. Harawira- Naera scored his first career try, then Martin dummied his way over for his before the pair combined to put Tyrone Peachey over for a 22- 0 halftime lead.
Wallace scored an easy fourpointer from close range first up after the break followed by Dean rounds, his playing future beyond this season, and his numerous welldocumented off- field dramas of the past 12 months.
A positive first hit- out and rare Whare on the end of another Martin incision. Halfback Nathan Cleary crossed to complete the rout in the 78th minute for the Panthers to eclipse their club record 42- 6 demolition of the Knights in their most recent meeting last year.
Jordan Kahu scored a 74thminute field goal to give the Brisbane Broncos a 13- 12 win over the Canberra Raiders in last night’s late game.
The Raiders had levelled the scores a minute earlier after two tries in seven minutes from Jordan Rapana and Blake Austin, and a Jarrod Croker conversion. The scores were level at 2- 2 at halftime. Warriors victory across the ditch will help provide more positive headlines but anything less will add only more weight on his newly repaired shoulder. there last week. My job is to make sure they go forward this week and if Kieran does get on then he’ll reap the rewards if our boys go forward.”
The Warriors looked at their best against the Bulldogs during brief periods when strong charges from wings Manu Vatuvei and Ken Maumalo helped get their sets started to allow Luke to run from dummyhalf.
oach Stephen Kearney lamented the lack of quick play- the- balls which made those periods of positive play all too fleeting.
While he’s keen to see both Luke and the side’s backline provide more in attack, he returns to the point that it all comes down to the efforts of the forwards.
“Do I want Issac giving us more? Of course,” said Kearney. “That’s what his strength is but it goes part and parcel. You can’t have one without the other.
“We had some pretty slow playthe- balls so that doesn’t allow him to get out. That’s why I always say it’s a collective energy that we need.
“For the forwards, it’s making sure they’re up for it. And they put their hand up and said ‘ we didn’t get it done last week’.
“This week it’s a similar challenge.”
Warriors hooker Issac Luke