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Two-try Watene-Zelezniak says he is yet to hit top form

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will make is debut for the Kiwis. (Photo: Nrlphotos.com.au)
Roar Guru
10th April, 2016
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In what is perhaps an ominous warning to the rest of the NRL, young Penrith winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has said he has plenty of improvement in him.

The young Panther says that despite his two-try effort against the defending premiers, his form in 2016 has so far failed to hit the heights reached before the setback with a lung condition prematurely ended his 2015 season.

The Kiwi winger, who ran 18 times for 173 metres as well as making four tackle-breaks, a line-break and an offload, refuses to use his health issue as an excuse for his perceived indifferent start to the season.

“I’m a bit scratchy at the moment coming back from this lung (issue) but there’s no excuses for myself,” Dallin explained.

“(My lung) is getting there and it’s not really a problem anymore.”

“Getting back to where I was is the hardest thing so I’ve just got to put my head down and work harder and try and get back to where my form was.”

Watene-Zelezniak, who has been selected to play for New Zealand on two previous occasions only to be ruled out through injury and suspension says playing his best for the Panthers is his number one priority as he looks to find a way of helping his team.

He and his Panther teammates are once again frustrated by their inability to close out tight games, this time against the Cowboys.

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“(Test selection) is up to the selectors and coach,” Dallin said.

“If that opportunity comes I’ll be humbled and grateful to take it but (right now) I’m working on playing the best I can for the Panthers.”

“I was lucky enough to score two tries but it wasn’t enough for the result we wanted but we’ve got something to work on and for myself to find some form.”

“We shot ourselves in the foot (against the Cowboys) and it’s pretty frustrating (losing these tight games) but it’s something we can work on because there’s worse scenarios than what we’ve had so it’s not all too bad.”

Watene-Zelezniak agreed with his coach’s assessment that a defensive lapse during the first half between he and Waqa Blake on Penrith’s right edge enabled the slow-starting Cowboys back into the game through a try to Javid Bowen, but added that the inexperienced pairing had gone three rounds straight without conceding a try prior to the lapse.

“It (the Bowen try) was the first try (Waqa and I have conceded) since Round 1 or 2 so four rounds is pretty good for a young combination,” Watene-Zelezniak claimed.

“(But) it was a mistake that cost us so we’ve got to work on that as we move on to next week.”

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That sparks the start of a six-week period before Penrith return to Pepper Stadium in Round 11 against the Titans, with games against Sydney Roosters and Cronulla followed by ‘home’ games in Bathurst and Christchurch against Canberra and New Zealand Warriors respectively split between by a rep weekend program.

Given the Panthers won just three games away from Pepper Stadium in 2015, their 2016 finals hopes could well hinge on the number of games they can win on the road during this crucial period, a fact not lost on Watene-Zelezniak.

“It’s very important we stay focused going into this period,” Dallin said.

“Obviously we need to get a few wins and going away from home is a challenge but it’s a challenge we’re willing to take and back ourselves.”

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