Whilst the events over the past few days have again cast a massive shadow on the NRL, a terrific game of football between the Penrith Panthers and the Wests Tigers yesterday showcased why Rugby League’s on field exploits will continue to outweigh all the current negativity surrounding the code off it.
Over 19,000 fans packed CUA Stadium to watch a Panthers team continue a winning run which has garnered them the confidence that won the club the 2003 premiership.
It seems Penrith have finally found parity where it matters most on the field, with Lachlan Coote, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Kevin Kingston and Luke Lewis all thriving in the key positions of fullback, five-eighth, halfback, hooker and lock respectively.
The result has seen Matt Elliott’s men become the most lethal attacking unit in the NRL after seven rounds, with the side currently averaging 27 points a game.
That offensive potency reared its head yesterday afternoon against the Tigers, who themselves have become renowned for their breathtaking skill with the football.
Panthers custodian Coote scored two tries, both of which were made possible by the exquisite offloading skills from Kiwi international Frank Pritchard and former Origin player Luke Lewis.
Pritchard’s showing against the Tigers suggests the big man is finally beginning to realise his potential standing as the NRL’s most destructive second rower, after years of being hindered by ill discipline and laziness.
His partner in crime Luke Lewis has come full circle since his injury last season, and probably ranks as a sure bet to gain selection in the Kangaroos squad for the Anzac Test match against the Kiwis on May 7.
Panthers speedster Michael Jennings is also slowly regaining the form that took him to a NSW Origin jersey last year, beating four Tigers defenders to score a clinical try out of dummy half courtesy of his devastating blend of footwork and speed close to the line.
Of course no match featuring the Tigers is complete without a piece of magic from the 2005 Premiers, and boy, didn’t Tim Sheens’ men provide a moment to savior for all NRL fans just eleven minutes into the match.
Beginning with a dummy half bust from Robbie Farah, the Tigers captain offloaded to winger Lote Tuqiri who showed a wonderful pair of hands to set up an 80 metre try for forward Chris Heighington to even the scores.
In a week where the NRL experienced its most tumultuous period in Rugby League history, Heighington’s four pointer provided a solid reminder as to why the game continues to outlast the many setbacks it has suffered over the past few seasons.
Whether it be players undergoing assault charges or clubs cheating the salary cap, the NRL continually finds a way to shoot itself in the foot only to recover thanks to the unprecedented high level of football played week in week out by most teams.
The Panthers and the Tigers yesterday played their role in advertising the game of Rugby League in the right light. Both sides contributed significantly to a great game of football that will play an important role in helping fans put aside the terrible events the NRL has experienced over the past few days, for now at least.
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Sunia Turuva scored the first try of the game for Penrith, and by the end of it he was setting them up with ease.
South Sydney copped their second binning of the game, with Jacob Host marched for this kicker contact.
