Coming of age: Talagi comfortable with life in the spotlight

After a full season with Penrith topped off by his first NRL finals campaign Blaize Talagi feels he has the know-how to take some ownership in the halves in the absence of teammate Nathan Cleary. 

When the Australian halfback was sin-binned by referee Ashley Klein for a dangerous tackle on Wests Tigers winger Heamasi Makasini at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night, it was Talagi who stepped up to steer the ship.  

He had already orchestrated the Panthers second try with a deft chip kick over the defence for his centre Paul Alamoti to pounce. 

Speaking to NRL.com post-match, before Cleary was hit with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle charge by the match review committee, Talagi didn’t know if Jack Cogger or Jack Cole might come into the halves as his replacement for the Round 1 match against the Broncos.

“We have been working on lots of combinations in training. I’m sure whoever steps in will give it their all be ready,” Talagi said. 

He knows it’s a bitter blow for the Panthers to lose their No.7 but he also feels his own injury-free pre-season has put him in good shape to lead. 

“A very different pre-season for me than last year,” the 20-year-old said of missing four of the opening five rounds to a shoulder problem he carried throughout the off-season. 

“I think it will set me up for a good start to the year. 

“It was a big year last year and I learnt a lot. It was truly special to be alongside boys like Nath that have been here and done that. 

“The major thing to get out of it was how I prep for games. I’m better at that now.” 

Talagi turns 21 at the end of Round 2 is on course to reach his 50th NRL game milestone in 2026, currently sitting on 42 matches from just two seasons of NRL – 20 with Parramatta (2024) and 22 with Penrith (2025). 

He was hoping that entering his third NRL season the spotlight might dim a little on him but he’s cognisant of the fact he will still attract attention, especially in Cleary’s absence. 

“I guess it’s something I’m still learning to deal with. I guess it’s part of the game these days," he said.

“I look forward to taking it (expectation) on because I think it’s only going to help me in my career.” 

He is definitely not shy of the big stage and partnered Wests Tigers captain Jarome Luai in Samoa’s run to the Pacific Championships final against New Zealand last November. 

Luai opposed him at No.6 in Wests Tigers’ 26-12 win on Friday night at Leichhardt Oval.

“He’s someone I played with before in internationals and he was in my spot here at Panthers before,” Talagi said. 

"So it was good to face a quality player like him in trials to get a good hit-out. 

“I was nervous before the game but I think there are some good things ahead of us.” 

The Panthers will need to be on song facing the reigning premiers first-up, with a 16-14 loss in last year's epic preliminary final still fresh in their minds.

“Going back to Brisbane, same stadium, same team … it ended up being our last game last year so we’re looking at getting one back,” Talagi said.