Luke Lewis has labelled Ivan Cleary’s decision to strip him of the Penrith captaincy as a “kick in the guts” and called on the NRL club to clarify Michael Jennings’ future.
Cleary stunned Lewis after he returned from the State of Origin opener in Melbourne by handing the club captaincy to Kevin Kingston until the back-rower ends his representative duties in July.
The 29-year-old scored his side’s fourth try in the 22-4 upset of Manly on Sunday, but cut a disappointed figure after the game.
“I’m not happy with the decision, but I love the boys and the club to death and that’s all I’m thinking of.
“I could have handled it. He (Cleary) just said that’s the way he wants to roll.”
Cleary said he expected Lewis to return to the role after Origin three on July 4, but the Kangaroos star refused to say if he would accept the offer.
“I’m not too sure. I just want to worry about what happens next and that’s training on Monday,” he said.
Jennings missed the game due to a one-match ban after striking Brent Tate during Origin one on Wednesday night.
But he’d been dropped by Cleary for the Panthers’ previous home game against St George Illawarra and is reportedly being offered to other clubs.
Jennings is into the second year of a five-year deal, worth an estimated $600,000 a season, and the Panthers are believed keen to get him off the wage bill.
Lewis said the rumours were concerning for both Jennings and the players, and called on general manager Phil Gould and Cleary to clarify the situation.
“They should tell all the boys so everyone knows what’s going on. Especially Michael Jennings,” he said.
“I think it’s all talk, but where there’s a spark there’s a flame.
“I will go into bat for Michael Jennings a million times over.
“I don’t want him to leave, he is one of my mates and always will be and if he needs me to go down fighting with him I will.”
Questions have been raised about Jennings’ attitude but Lewis denied the 23-year-old has been a problem.
“He’s been outstanding, he’s held his shoulders high,” he said.
“I thought he had a great game on (in Origin) Wednesday. He got sent off for 10 minutes, but that’s Origin. I am sure if he’s here next week he’ll be back playing at his best.”
Sunday’s other NRL clash at Campbelltown Wests Tigers enjoyed a fifth successive win, beating North Queensland 26-18.
The Cowboys’ NSW prop James Tamou was placed on report for dangerous contact with Tiger Benji Marshall after the playmaker had kicked.
Tamou will find out on Monday if he will be punished for the offence which took place early in the first half.
Manly’s Steve Matai could also be in trouble after he was penalised for a high shot to the head of Penrith’s Dan Galea who had to leave the field.
The Kiwi centre has a long record of similar offences and could face another spell on the sidelines.
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