Jenkins to unleash hidden talent in Nawaqanitawase aerial contest
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Penrith winger Tom Jenkins is set to dig deep into a bag of tricks developed as a state high jumper as he looks to outgun Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase on Thursday night.
The two players will go head-to-head at CommBank Stadium in one of many fascinating positional battles in the top-of-the-table clash.
Nawaqanitawase has developed into one of the biggest aerial threats in the game and has produced a string of freakish players throughout the past two seasons.
All the angles: THAT Mark Nawaqanitawase Try
Jenkins is no slouch in the air himself, with nine of his 28 tries this year coming from bombs and cross-field kicks, but he will be at a height disadvantage on Thursday night.
That’s where the Panther’s background as a high jumper comes in, with Jenkins to lean on some of those skills in his contest with Nawaqanitawase.
“He’s such a special talent,” Jenkins said. “He’s one of those people who’s a massive aerial threat and I’m excited to go up against him. He’s a quality player and it will be sad to see him leave the NRL at the end of this year because I enjoy watching him.
“I was a high jumper when I was younger so that puts me in good stead for [catching bombs]. I’ve done a lot of training and put a lot of work into it, being good in the air brings a different aspect to my game.”
Match: Panthers v Roosters
Round 24 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Jenkins came out on top when the two wingers faced off in Round 3, the Panther scoring four tries as his side claimed a comprehensive 40-4 victory.
Plenty has changed since then, however, and Thursday's match looms as the biggest game of the season. The winner will move into first place on the ladder and claim pole position in the race for the minor premiership.
The Roosters have been dealt a blow with fullback James Tedesco ruled out on Wednesday night due to an ankle injury, while Penrith No.1 Dylan Edwards remains in the extended squad as he looks to his return from a shoulder injury.
Jenkins is scoring four fun!
The Panthers will be without Isaah Yeo, who will miss the next month with a pectoral injury.
The Roosters drew level on the ladder with Penrith on 36 points with a tight win over the Bulldogs last weekend, in which they repeatedly peppered the Canterbury back three with a string of high balls.
Halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker sent kick after kick high into the sky, with Nawaqanitawase and Billy Smith chasing through and causing havoc for their opposition.
According to stats compiled by rugby league statistician David Middleton, the Roosters have scored 21 tries through the air this year, while plenty more bombs and cross-field kicks have generated a repeat set.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has made no secret of his side’s desire to repeat the strategy on Thursday, as they look to capitalise on the height advantage on both flanks.
“It's definitely part of our game style,” Robinson said. “It’s one that we’ve used quite a lot.
“We’ve got two great kickers and we’ve got high ball catchers, so it’s always going to be part of our game.”
Nawaqanitawase is currently the reigning Ken Irvine Medallist after scoring 24 tries last season, with Jenkins on track to claim the honour this year.
The Panthers winger leads the NRL try-scoring tally with 28 four-pointers, three ahead of Rabbitohs star Alex Johnston with the race for top spot likely to go down to the wire.
Jenkins has already set a Penrith club record for most tries in a season, with Dave Brown's all-time record of 38 the next mark in his sights.
Jenkins breaking records and doing it in style
The 25-year-old is looking to add to his tally on Thursday night, but his primary goal remains saving tries rather than scoring them.
“I’d have to score 11 tries in four games,” Jenkins said. “It’s doable but it’s a bit far-fetched. At the end of the day, as much as records are cool, winning games is the most important thing.
“I want to do what I can for the team. Saving tries is better than scoring them, we value defence here so that’s important.”
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