A lethal weapon in Nathan Cleary’s arsenal provoked the Panthers Friday night when they desperately needed their main man, lifting the first defenders to victory in an absorbing adventure with the Roosters.
The Tricolors turned in a challenging display and even stole the lead with a try from Sam Verrills in the 53rd minute, but a deadly play by Cleary soon after made the game back in favor of Penrith.
The New South Wales Blues migback detected a misreading of the Roosters ’back rower defense, Sitili Tupouniua, and jumped, throwing a ball to Izack Tago to send him through a gap.
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A brilliant play from midfielder Nathan Cleary inspired a Panthers victory over a challenging Roosters team. (Jason McCawley / Getty Images)
The exceptional play took the lead of the Panthers, before the locals crossed again to the victory by 26-18.
“It’s a brilliant pass,” rugby league guru Phil Gould said on Nine’s cover.
“Out of the corner of his eye I was looking at Tupouniua,” added the Immortal Andrew Johns of the rugby league.
“He was just looking and scanning, and he was waiting for him to come back. As soon as he turned his shoulders, Nathan said ” whack! ‘”
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Mat Thompson called the pass “glorious.”
Cleary’s clutch game followed his brilliant performance for NSW on Sunday night, in which he led the Blues to a series leveling win over the Maroons in Perth.
The Panthers got a seventh straight win and extended their lead at the top of the ladder to six points.
His 22-20 loss to the Eels at Penrith in the ninth round remains his only loss of the season.
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