Have Penrith found Luai's replacement?

Move over Nathan Cleary. The Panthers have a new match-winner in the Jarome Luai mould to take the pressure off Cleary for the rest of the season. Blaize Talagi wasn't selected for the first two games this season, but since he got his chance he's been improving by the week. And the former Eel, still only 20 years old, came of age in Saturday night's classic 30-all draw with the Cowboys in Townsville. Talagi laid on four of the Panthers' five tries and scored the other while Cleary was happy to sit back and let his junior partner run the show. It was a similar understanding to the one Cleary had with Luai - and is a great sign for the Panthers for the tough road ahead.

Blaize Talagi cops stunning new snub as Ivan Cleary axes Test player at Penrith Panthers

Penrith recruit Blaize Talagi has copped a brutal new snub from coach Ivan Cleary after once again being overlooked in the starting side. And the Panthers coach has swung the axe for Thursday night's game against Souths, with Kiwi Test star Casey McLean dropped from the 17 altogether, for the clash at Accor Stadium. The Panthers have shifted Paul Alamoti onto the wing to replace McLean, with young gun Tom Jenkins rewarded for last week's performance against the Storm by being named in the centres. Daine Laurie returns at fullback in the continued absence of injured No.1 Dylan Edwards after being a late scratching from last week's brutal grand final replay against Melbourne due to a quad injury. Co-captain Nathan Cleary was knocked out in the opening stages of the six-point defeat to Melbourne and is subsequently ruled out of the Rabbitohs match, with father Ivan handing Trent Toelau a shock call-up to wear the No.7 jersey in place of the champion halfback. Talagi was expected to partner Jack Cole in Nathan's absence but will have to be content with an interchange role after being named in the No.14 jersey. It's the latest snub for Penrith's high-profile recruit, who was brought to the club from Parramatta in the off-season, and was expected to be Jarome Luai's successor at five-eighth. Instead, coach Cleary has preferred Cole at No.6 to start the year, with Talagi having to bide his time in NSW Cup for the first two rounds. Talagi got his first chance to impress after featuring on Penrith's interchange last week, and will once again have to be content with a similar role on Thursday night after being overlooked for the unheralded Toelau. "We've got a lot of time for Blaize," Panthers coach Cleary said. "He wouldn't be here if we didn't see a lot of future in him. He's certainly got that NRL quality about him, but there's still a long way to go as well." Toelau has never started before in the NRL, with his previous 12 games coming off the bench.

Eels rocked as young star's exit confirmed

Eels young gun Blaize Talagi has told the club he will leave at the end of the year. Talagi opted against activating an extension clause in his contract to enter the open market. In a statement on Wednesday, Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos said the decision was "disappointing". "The club made a very strong offer to Blaize, provided a clear path for his football future and consistently made it clear to Blaize and his family that we wanted him to be part of the club long term," he said. "While we are disappointed, particularly given the opportunities provided to Blaize during his time at the club, we wish him all the best."

Shock switch sets up 'intriguing' teen face-off

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur may have produced a sneaky masterstroke by switching rookie centre Blaize Talagi to the key five-eighth spot after just one top grade game. The move sees Talagi go head-to-head with Tigers wonderboy Lachlan Galvin - his best mate and halves partner through high school. Galvin, at 18 and a year younger than Talagi, is a "veteran" of two NRL games but has taken the league by storm in his brief career. The youngster has rare attacking skills for a teenager and was sensational in the Tigers' upset win over the Sharks last weekend. "Lachie is a special talent but no one knows his game better than Blaize," Westfield Sports High School coach Troy Weeden told Wide World of Sports. "It wouldn't surprise me if Brad put Blaize to six to keep an eye on Lachie - it will be a fascinating clash. "They are great friends and won the Buckley Shield together with our school a couple of years ago… they are very tight." Weeden rang the two talented youngsters this week as they prepared for the biggest game of their short careers."I called them up and told them they better behave out there," Weeden said with a laugh. "They are both very excited - both coming off their first NRL win - and can't wait for Monday to come around. "Blaize is the more reserved of the pair and he didn't say much. Lachie is more open and even a little cheeky at times." The confrontation between the two rookies has come about after Eels half Mitchell Moses broke his foot in last week's win over Manly. Arthur pulled a surprise by moving Talagi from centre, where he scored a try last week, to five-eighth, but the switch has set the scene for an intriguing battle.