Origin star’s horror night as Panthers face BIG selection headache: Player Ratings

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The Panthers’ premiership hopes have been left in tatters after a panicked performance saw them slump to a 16-10 defeat to the Rabbitohs.

Jarome Luai’s erratic nature came to sum up Penrith’s entire night, where their rampaging forward pack was a shadow of its former self while Tevita Pangai Junior’s impact was severely limited.

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2. STEPHEN CRICHTON 8.5

Crichton was a constant threat with the ball in hand, running for 139 metres and busting three tackles in the opening half alone, ending with 269 metres. His support play though was lacking at times and is an area to improve should he take over Dylan Edwards as the long-term fullback. Crichton was safe under the high ball except for a poor error. He came up with a brilliant save late to field an Alex Johnston kick. Crichton was Penrith’s best and while Edwards will come back in at fullback if night, it presents a big headache for Ivan Cleary long-term.

20. CHARLIE STAINES 5

Staines put his body on the line early to try get some solid carries out of the Penrith end despite his slighter frame. He did come up with a poor miss though on Dane Gagai in the lead-up to South Sydney’s first try. Staines then fumbled a Stephen Crichton flick pass in space in the second half in a play that summed up a panicked Penrith’s night.

3. PAUL MOMIROVSKI 7

Momirovski was brilliant early, playing a key role to stop Cody Walker from scoring what seemed a certain try. Then he chased down a Nathan Cleary kick and batted it back inside to set up Penrith’s first four-pointer.

4. MATT BURTON 7

Burton constantly had the South Sydney defence in two minds every time he touched the ball on the left edge, running for 89 metres, busting four tackles and forcing a dropout in the first half. The Dubbo product was guilty of bombing a try when he did not pass to a wide-open Brian To’o early in the game. He then came up with a poor defensive error as he came in and left winger To’o vulnerable for South Sydney’s third try.

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5. BRIAN TO’O 7

To’o was well-contained by his own lofty standards in the first half but still got through plenty of work to register 189 metres by fulltime.

6. JAROME LUAI 4

A scheming Luai looked dangerous at times but better needed to back his running game after failing to record a single run metre in the opening half. He was also guilty at times of lacking composure and making the wrong decisions in prime attacking field position. His final error in the 79th minute that condemned Penrith to defeat came to sum up his night. Luai just failed to get into rhythm and instead looked erratic.

7. NATHAN CLEARY 6.5

It was a typically classy first half from Cleary, who took the line on, dictated the tempo and steered the team around astutely with his kicking game. Otherwise though Cleary was kept relatively quiet, instead kicking for 543 metres.

18. MATT EISENHUTH 3

Penrith severely missed Moses Leota’s motor through the middle, with Eisenhuth managing just 27 metres.

9. APISAI KOROISAU 6

With Damien Cook threatening on a number of occasions, the pressure was on Koroisau to also step up when Penrith needed him. Instead though he had little impact in attack, making 42 tackles.

10. JAMES FISHER-HARRIS 5

With Moses Leota out, Fisher-Harris put in a solid first half to run for 47 metres, with each charge carrying plenty of power and aggression. He ended with 70 though well short of his normal haul.

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11. VILIAME KIKAU 7

The Panthers used Kikau well in the first half, giving him early ball to really test the South Sydney defence. He almost got the Panther back in it when he thundered down the left edge but a poor pass inside to Matt Burton led to an error. Kikau still was Penrith’s most dangerous forward outside of Isaah Yeo, ending with 114 metres and five tackle busts. His defence though remained questionable at times when dealing with lateral movement.

12. KURT CAPEWELL 4

A solid stint from Capewell, who was caught out in defence in the lead-up to what would have been South Sydney’s second try save a Cody Walker error. He also came up with a crucial error after Nathan Cleary forced a mistake from Alex Johnston, gifting Penrith a full set on South Sydney’s line.

13. ISAAH YEO 8.5

Yeo led from the front as he always does, with a decisive run going unrewarded due to a lack of support play from his teammates. He finished with 120 metres and three tackle busts to go with 48 tackles. A huge effort.

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INTERCHANGE

14. MITCH KENNY 4

Kenny tried his best to spark Penrith through the middle but struggled to make the metres needed given his size.

15. SPENCER LENIU 5

A handy stint off the bench for Leniu who added 45 metres.

16. TEVITA PANGAI JUNIOR 5

Pangai Junior was kept relatively quiet by the Rabbitohs, running for just 44 metres as the Panthers’ big X-factor struggled to make any real impact.

17. LIAM MARTIN x

Martin took the ball up with plenty of venom but came up short after an error in the 32nd minute and finished with just 44 metres to go with 26 tackles. Another who look flustered at times.

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