Peter Wallace’s form at hooker will give Panthers coach Anthony Griffin a real headache when James Segeyaro returns from injury later this month.
The former Penrith captain shifted to the dummy half role in Round 2 following Segeyaro’s broken arm in the opening round of the season – and is yet to disappoint.
Last Sunday afternoon during Penrith’s nail-biting win over the Parramatta Eels, Wallace was in fine form – scoring a try and making 30 tackles.
Speaking at a recovery session on Monday morning, the 30-year-old local junior said he’s relishing his new role.
“I’m enjoying playing at hooker… I’m just getting used to the work-rate and that but I’m really enjoying it at the moment,” he said.
Wallace, who played a number of games at hooker whilst at Brisbane under coach Griffin, said he’s getting more and more comfortable at hooker as the weeks roll on.
“I’m getting used to the work-rate in the middle, every week it’s getting easier, but I’ve played a little bit there before so I sort of knew what to do,” he said.
“I don’t watch anyone (other hookers) on tape, I just play what I see and try and direct the team around, give the boys nice clean ball and try and make my tackles.”
Wallace is off-contract at season’s end with many predicting earlier this year that 2016 could be his last in the NRL.
However, with the form he’s showed in recent weeks, it could very well earn him a new deal at the foot of the Mountains especially if he can stay injury-free.
One of Wallace’s teammates who has been championing his return to form is none other than halfback Jamie Soward.
The pair has developed a strong bond since joining the Panthers together in 2014, with Soward believing Wallace should be a contender for a NSW Origin spot.
“I said a couple of weeks ago he wouldn’t look out of place in an Origin jersey playing in that spot. The way he’s come back from two serious knee injuries and handled himself away from footy and then coming back this year is a credit to himself and who he is as a person,” Soward said.
“He’s playing fantastic for us and is really helping the team out, his form is great at the moment.”
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
