The Penrith Panthers may face a significant setback in their finals campaign as James Fisher-Harris is set to undergo scans for an injury he sustained last week. Fisher-Harris has been a standout player for the Panthers, especially during the Origin period when many stars were unavailable due to representative duties. Alongside Moses Leota, he has been a leader of the forward pack, demonstrating his importance to the team.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 2023 Golden Boot winner will undergo scans to assess the severity of an abductor injury. This injury is likely to rule him out for Round 22, adding to the Panthers’ injury woes. The team is also dealing with the absences of Daine Laurie (concussion) and Dylan Edwards (PCL), both of whom are sidelined.
In light of these injuries, the Panthers are set to introduce another debutant this weekend. Isaiah Iongi, who has been named as the club’s 18th man multiple times this season, has a chance to make his NRL first-grade debut against the Newcastle Knights. Iongi has already made a significant impact at the club. He was named the club’s Jersey Flegg Player of the Year in 2022 and has represented the U19s QLD Maroons team in the past.
Iongi’s performance in reserve grade has been impressive, scoring five tries and providing 18 try assists from 24 matches last season. This season, he has continued his excellent form with five tries, four try assists, eight line-breaks, and 2695 total running metres in 15 NSW Cup appearances. His consistent performance has caught the attention of incumbent fullback Dylan Edwards, who praised the youngster’s skills and potential.
“He’s been awesome. He’s been awesome for a little bit now,” Edwards told Zero Tackle. “He’s trained with us for a while. He always trains really well and he’s a good skillful player. I think when he gets a crack, you can expect a lot of energy, really safe, really reliable player, so he’s one to watch out for.”
While Iongi is a strong contender for the debut, coach Ivan Cleary might also consider Fijian international Sunia Turuva for the fullback role. Turuva has previously demonstrated his ability to play the position both at the club and international levels. Cleary will need to shuffle his backline this week, and the decision on who will fill the fullback role is crucial for the team’s strategy.
Additionally, recruit Asu Kepaoa, who joined from the Wests Tigers, has impressed in the NSW Cup over the past few weeks and is another potential candidate to make his club debut. Kepaoa’s recent performances have shown that he could be a valuable asset to the Panthers, adding depth to their squad during this challenging period.
In summary, the Penrith Panthers are facing a series of challenges with key players like James Fisher-Harris, Daine Laurie, and Dylan Edwards dealing with injuries. The team is looking to its younger talents, such as Isaiah Iongi and potentially Sunia Turuva or Asu Kepaoa, to step up and fill the gaps. The upcoming match against the Newcastle Knights will be a test of the Panthers’ resilience and depth as they aim to navigate these setbacks and continue their push towards the finals.
