Moses Leota has vowed to lead the Penrith pack now another premiership-winning prop has gone down with injury.
Spencer Leniu is expected to miss Saturday night’s clash against the Wests Tigers in Bathurst because of a calf injury, with 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 told the Herald it was a role he did not crave but one he would 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.
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.
Spencer Leniu is expected to miss Saturday’s clash against the Wests Tigers with a calf injury.Credit: Getty Images
“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.
“If I play my game and the way I have the last few weeks, it should all go to plan.”
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”.
Henry, 21, grew up in Blayney, near Bathurst, and debuted 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.
Moses Leota will lead the Panthers packCredit: Getty
Koroisau made headlines when he hopped on stage after the Panthers grand final triumph and ridiculed the Tigers’ chances of winning a competition. With Tim Sheens’ men winless after eight rounds, even the most rusted-on Tigers fan would find it hard to argue with Koroiosau’s then-boozy sentiment.
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.
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