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Soward tips Penrith young guns to fire

Roar Guru
23rd September, 2014
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Penrith skipper Jamie Soward has laughed off claims his side’s lack of big-games experience will be an issue in Saturday’s NRL preliminary final against Canterbury.

Despite beating the Bulldogs twice this season, in addition to shocking NRL premiers the Sydney Roosters in opening week of the finals, Ivan Cleary’s Panthers are $2.16 outsiders to overcome Des Hasler’s team.

The win over the Roosters also gave Penrith the week off to prepare for the game and Soward said it was only those outside of the club that doubt the team’s ability to keep winning.

“We don’t care what other people care and think about us,” Soward told AAP.

“There is no secret to what we do, it’s just hard work and everyone knows their job.”

Soward, along with fullback Matt Moylan and hooker James Segeyaro have been been the key players for the Panthers this year.

And the former NSW playmaker scoffed at claims they may not have the big-game experience to deal with a battle-hardened Bulldogs.

“Nothing fazes ‘Moysa’ (Moylan),” he said.

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“He is the coolest kid on the block, he kicks field goals, stands there and wait to catch everyone and he’s good on the lip too.

“I love ‘Chicko’ (Segeyaro) to bits, we car pool together and he is a cheeky little fella.

“The way he’s played this year, there are not many hookers who have been as good as him. But we’re happy to let people say and write what they want about us.”

Centre Dean Whare, who scored a hat-trick on his NRL debut when playing for Hasler at Manly, has first-hand experience of the way the two-time premiership-winning coach prepares sides in September.

Although he never played in the Sea Eagles’ 2011 grand final success, Whare was part of the squad that had so much success that year.

“Everyone knows what Des is about, he is one of the best coaches in the game,” Whare told AAP.

“It’s no surprise that he has got Canterbury playing well at this time of year and we’re quite happy to be underdogs.

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“I think our spine of Moysa, Chicko and Sowie is as good as anyone and our forwards can match up with theirs.

“It’s going to be a great game and we are all looking forward to it.”

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