Life after Api Koroisau is already looking bright for Penrith with Soni Luke scoring a try and setting up another couple in the Panthers’ thumping of Norths Devils in the State Championship.
Those who made it to Accor Stadium early on Sunday afternoon witnessed the Panthers triumph 44-10 against the Queensland Cup champions.
It was the fifth straight time a NSW side won the interstate clash, after the Queenslanders had taken out the opening two editions.
Luke made his NRL debut this year and went on to play another three first-grade games, but he can expect more game time at dummy-half with Koroisau’s departure to Wests Tigers for the 2023 season. The 26-year-old suffered a string of shocking injuries, including three shoulder reconstructions, which delayed his arrival on the big stage.
Mitch Kenny is expected to start in the Panthers’ No.9 jersey at NRL level next season, but Luke will enjoy plenty of game time alongside so many of his friends that he came through the grades with out west.
He can continue to impress coach Ivan Cleary in the coming weeks after learning at the start of the week he had made the final cut to represent Tonga at the World Cup. This year was huge for Luke – but he knows 2023 can be even better.
The Panthers reserve grade side celebrates their win over Norths Devils in the NRL State Championship. Credit:NRL Photos
“I’m excited [about next year], me and Mitch will go hard, he’s been there and done his trade the last couple of years,” Luke said after the win. “I’ve still got a lot of work to do if I want to nail a spot in that 17. It will be ‘head-down-bum-up’ when we get back for the pre-season.
“I’m going over with Tonga to the World Cup on Friday. It’s another exciting thing that caps off a really good year and enjoyable year of footy. Hopefully I can have a big 2023.”
This time last year Luke was stranded in NSW because of COVID, and watched Penrith’s premiership in lockdown. He said he had to beg coach Peter Wallace to hand him a train-and-trial deal, and was one of the fittest at the club by the time the first-grade players started trickling back for training.
Penrith’s powerhouse win in Sunday’s State Championship was more a reflection of just how strong the club is right now rather than the yawning gap between the state-based sec on-tier competitions.
Soni Luke gets an offload away for the Panthers in their big win on Sunday.Credit:NRL Photos
Penrith led 18-0 at the break but could have been ahead by more had Kurt Falls grounded the ball over the tryline.
To be fair, Penrith’s NSW Cup side would have pushed plenty of NRL clubs who finished towards the bottom of the ladder.
The Panthers win over Canterbury in the NSW Cup grand final last Sunday came on the back of title triumphs in the Jersey Flegg and SG Ball competitions.
Luke put through a grubber for J’maine Hopgood to score the opening try. He scored the Panthers’ second try himself, then held up the ball beautifully to put Robert Jennings over for a try in the second half, and grubbered again for Hopgood’s second.
Sunia Turuva scored the last try of the game with just seconds remaining before Jennings, who heads to NRL newcomers the Dolphins next year, was given the chance to attempt the conversion from the sideline. Despite being heckled by his own teammates and told he would miss, Jennings’ attempt sailed over the black dot.
Watch the NRL grand final exclusive, live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.
