Despite the NRL’s poor scheduling of this Saturday’s game between the Panthers and Warriors in New Zealand, lock Matt Eisenhuth has backed Penrith to get the job done without their NSW Blues stars.
The last time the Panthers were without their Origin brigade was against lowly Newcastle in Bathurst last month. That afternoon at Carrington Park didn’t go to plan, with the defending Premiers spanked by the struggling Knights 25-6.
Speaking with Extra Time on Monday, Eisenhuth said the team has learned a lot from that disastrous performance on May 24.
“Our training leading up to that game was pretty good… well, we thought it was… but when we looked back on it, we probably weren’t hard enough on ourselves at training, letting things slide, and that’s not what we are usually about,” the 32-year-old said.
“I remember we said all the right things before the game, we just didn’t go out there and do a good enough job across the park and it showed.
“It was a massive learning experience for the group. There were a lot of young boys in the side, but a lot of experienced ones too. There’re lessons for us [experienced players] to be better and help the [younger] boys around us be better too.”
Following the calamity in Bathurst, the Panthers improved and won their next two games against the Eels and Tigers before enjoying a well-deserved bye last weekend.
“I feel like from that point on as a group, training has been a lot better,” Eisenhuth said.
“We’ve taken a lot of lessons out of that game and it showed in our last couple of performances – back to the Penrith we sort of know.”
Even though it could have been logistically possible, coach Ivan Cleary made the smart decision to not name his five Origin players that took on Queensland in Perth on Wednesday night.
The only Panthers star expected to play in Auckland on Saturday is Blues 19th man Lindsay Smith. Eisenhuth said Smith deserved to be picked for NSW and hopes it won’t be too long before he gets to actually play in the Origin arena.
“He got a bit of that taste playing for Australia last year, so I feel like he was always going to be in and around the conversation if he was fit, healthy and his form showed he deserved a spot,” he said.
“I’m sure his name is going to be in and around there for a few years to come. He’s still pretty young, he’s 25. I’m excited for him and hopefully he brings back what he learns there, as well as a bit of confidence, and he helps us.”
A victory over the red-hot Warriors could see the Panthers end the round in the NRL top eight.
Nathan Taylor
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.