Talagi set to miss out on No. 6 jersey to partner Cleary

Panthers star signing Blaize Talagi is set to miss out on the No. 6 jersey for the team’s Las Vegas opener this weekend, with coach Ivan Cleary expected to name Jack Cole in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary.

Talagi signed a three-year-deal with the Panthers and is anticipated to be the club’s long-term replacement for Jarome Luai, but there’s a sense the 19-year-old isn’t quite ready to make his Panthers debut.

Teammate Dylan Edwards said it was only a matter of time before Talagi had his turn.

“He’s still really learning and really trying to just take everything in here as well,” Edwards said after a training session on Monday US time.

“So, it’s probably a good time for him just to bide his time and see how it all plays out. But Blaize is a quality player and he’ll get his shot eventually, and I’m sure he’ll take that with both hands. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”

However, Edwards said that Cole, who played for the Panthers in the world club challenge last year, would be a reliable choice in the halves.

“I think the club recruited really well, it shows great depth that we’ve got here to be able to sort of substitute Romey [Luai] in for someone like Blaize or Jack Cole. Obviously, it hurts losing Romey, but there are some great players there ready to fill.”

“He’s [Cole] trained really well in the off-season and gets his opportunity, and he’ll be really good for us.”