Dylan Edwards is set to overcome a minor hamstring complaint to be ready for round 1 as his Penrith teammates prepare for furnace-like conditions when they take on St Helens in the World Club Challenge.
The reigning Clive Churchill medallist will skip Saturday’s game, with Bulldogs-bound Stephen Crichton set to play fullback, but Panthers fans shouldn’t panic with the metre-eater likely to be fit for their first match against Brisbane in two weeks.
“He just had a minor injury thing, he should be right for round 1,” Cleary said.
“Every time ‘Critta’ (Crichton) has gone back there in the past he has done a great job. Dyl is a massive loss, but it’s obviously a great opportunity for Critta and I’m looking forward to see how he goes.”
Crichton’s impending move to the Bulldogs is great for him and his family, but he’ll be a big loss for the Panthers.
“He’s a bum, but I still love him to death,” great mate Brian To’o said.
“He’ll always be my little brother.
“It was devastating to hear that he’s leaving, but that’s what footy’s all about. Nothing lasts forever.”
Edwards won’t be too unhappy to sit out Saturday’s clash in Sydney’s greater west, with the temperature set to hit a scorching 39C with no sea breeze to help cool things down at kick-off.
The sizzling conditions have forced the NRL to push the game back by 50 minutes, with both teams given an extra player on the bench and able to use 10 interchanges for the blockbuster fixture.
While Panthers players have spent the summer training in the heat, it’s a different story for St Helens who have had two weeks to acclimatise, with tops of 11C back home on Saturday.
“It is a big challenge, but one thing that people mention when we come to Australia is the heat, but people have to realise that we do occasionally have hot days in the summer in the UK and on our trips to Toulouse and Perpignan,” Saints coach Paul Wellens said.
“We played Castleford at Wembley in 2021, which was 100 degrees Fahrenheit pitch side, so the lads have had experience with these types of challenges. Obviously, it’s different from what we’re used to, but we’ve made no excuses.
“The conditions are the conditions and we adapt accordingly.”
The heat is going to be a major issue for both teams, but summers spent under the sun should be an advantage for Penrith against the four-time defending Super League champions.
“This is Penrith, we have been doing it for years. It’s nothing new. But even growing up out here and training in this heat, it still shocks you,” Panthers hooker Mitch Kenny said.
“Especially when you haven’t played footy in a while and you’re going to play in that. I’m sure we’ll be struggling at times but so will our opposition.
“They’re from the north of England, but they’re a world-class outfit and I’m sure they’re doing everything they can to be conditioned to it. But both sides will struggle with the heat at some point.”
Champion halfback Nathan Cleary addressed media on Thursday afternoon in oppressive conditions that were 10C colder than what he will cop on Saturday.
The Sydney sun is something that he’s grown used to over the years and he believes it could be advantageous against a team that is used to rugging up in front of the fireplace at this time of year.
“It is a bit of a difference, but we’ve both got to play in it. It’s pretty hot for us too,” Cleary said.
“St Helens have been out here for two or so weeks now, and I am sure they are trying to adjust to the heat. It’s meant to be pretty hot on Saturday, so we will see how we go.”
