Tom Trbojevic will miss Manly’s clash with the Gold Coast after failing to overcome an adductor injury.
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold opted to take a conservative approach after Trbojevic went through a fitness test on Friday morning, withdrawing their superstar from the showdown with the Titans at 4 Pines Park on Saturday evening.
Kaeo Weekes will replace Trbojevic at fullback.
The club insist Trbojevic will be fit for the Sea Eagles’ potential top-of-the-table game against the Broncos, which will headline Magic Round in Brisbane next weekend.
The 26-year-old was taken from the field late in Manly’s win over the Tigers last week, and he will have three weeks to prove his fitness to NSW coach Brad Fittler before the Blues side is chosen for the opening State of Origin match.
The news comes as Moses Leota vows to lead the Penrith pack now another premiership-winning prop has gone down with injury.
Star Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic left the field with a groin injury on Sunday.Credit: Getty
Spencer Leniu is expected to miss Saturday night’s clash against the Wests Tigers because of a calf injury, with central west local Liam Henry tipped to be elevated to the bench.
With senior forwards enforcer James Fisher-Harris (knee) still a week away from returning, and Leniu an outside chance to also return for Magic Round, Leota, 27, will be entrusted to get the premiers on the front foot.
Leota said it was a role he did not crave but one he would also accept until the heavyweight cavalry returned.
The Panthers have already lost Taylan May for the season with a knee injury, Liam Martin is struggling with hamstring issues, while Izack Tago suffered a pectoral strain last weekend. Nathan Cleary also went into the loss against Souths with a groin niggle, but is expected to start against the Tigers.
Moses Leota will be absent when the Panthers face Wests Tigers in Bathurst.Credit: Getty
The loss of Leniu is a blow for the Panthers, especially given the way the Roosters-bound prop has made the most of the extra minutes he has been getting with Fisher-Harris out.
“I don’t really [relish the role], but if I have to do it I will do it,” Leota said.
“It’s what I have to do this week. The coaches want me to step up, and I will.
“‘Spence’ brings that impact off the bench, he’s been awesome the last few weeks since ‘Fish’ has been out, and he will be a big loss.
Liam Henry is likely to feature for the premiers on Saturday.
“If I play my game and the way I have the last few weeks, it should all go to plan.”
Henry, 21, grew up in Blayney, on the outskirts of Bathurst, and made his debut against the Cowboys in the final round of the regular season last year. Few players will have a bigger cheer squad inside Carrington Park.
“Liam is a workhorse, he does everything right, he’s worked hard at training and done all the extras,” Leota said.
“He’ll be buzzing when he comes out, and he has his whole family here, too. It should be a big game for him.”
The Panthers and Tigers have thrashed out some decent contests in recent years, with Tigers skipper Api Koroisau returning to face his old club.
Koroisau made headlines when he hopped on stage after the Panthers grand final triumph and ridiculed the Tigers’ chances of winning a competition. With the Tigers winless after eight rounds, even the most rusted-on fan would find it hard to argue.
Another storyline easy to overlook is just how close Koroisau and Penrith coach Ivan Cleary were, with Cleary breaking down the night before last year’s decider when he handed the hooker his jersey.
The Tigers tried hard against a Manly side that could not have played any worse last week and still lost.
Leota has been excellent up front for the mountain men, and said his recent contract extension, which took him through until the end of 2027, had only motivated him more to “repay the faith”.
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