Phil Gould calls out Ivan Cleary over controversial move for Panthers’ NRL opener in Las Vegas
The Panthers coach had a tough decision to make ahead of the team’s opener against the Sharks.
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould has joined the chorus of Panthers fans surprised that new recruit Blaize Talagi didn’t get first crack at the No.6 jersey to face the Sharks in Las Vegas. There has been plenty of hype around young talent Talagi after the former Eels back was brought over to Penrith for the 2025 season.
In his debut NRL season at just 19 years old, Talagi was one of Parramatta’s best players in a campaign that saw the Eels finish 15th. Talagi played across the backline for the Eels during an injury-ravaged season. Although he left fans stunned when he opted to make the high-profile switch to the Panthers.
Ivan Cleary was looking for a long-term replacement after Jarome Luai opted to join the Wests Tigers and Talagi was tipped to take over the five-eighth spot. Talagi played five-eighth for Samoa during the international schedule and showed their were promising signs after Luai’s departure.
However, ahead of their clash with the Sharks, Penrith coach Cleary surprised fans having named Jack Cole as Nathan Cleary’s halves partner. Cole impressed during the 2024 NRL season and stepped in on numerous occasions when Cleary was injured.
Talagi has been recovering from shoulder surgery during the off-season and appears to be a step behind his teammate when it came to pre-season form. NSW and Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards suggested Talagi was still learning the five-eighth role after joining the club.
Phil Gould surprised by Blaize Talagi’s ommision
And Gould stated – before the teams were confirmed – he would be shocked if Talagi was excluded for the opening round. Speaking on his podcast ‘Six Tackles with Gus’, Gould said Cleary should give Talagi first crack at the No.6 jersey so he can start learning from the get-go.
“They bought Blaize Talagi for a reason,” Gould said. “Blaize Talagi has gone to the Panthers to play five-eight, to play with Nathan Cleary and to replace Jarome Luai…not sure what the Panthers mindset is with that, but I can’t see why they wouldn’t do that.
“I can’t see why they can’t start Blaize Talagi straight away. I think the sooner they settle on that, the better. He can play other positions, of course, but he has gone there to play five-eighth and I would be surprised if they don’t play him five-eighth, from the get-go. But it is still a strong side.”
Despite losing Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva, Gould said he believes Penrith are still favourites to win the their fifth-straight NRL premiership considering they boast a star-studded roster.
