LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Panthers playmaker Blaize Talagi has shared his experiences and challenges in stepping into the role previously held by Jarome Luai.
As teammates from Samoa, they are set to face each other this weekend.
Talagi joined Penrith this season, tasked with the difficult responsibility of replacing a vital player in the team's four-year stretch of NRL success.
At just 19 years old and with only 19 first-grade matches under his belt at the start of the season, the challenge was significant.
However, five months into the NRL campaign, Talagi has begun to find his rhythm, contributing essential play to the Panthers' mid-season turnaround.
As they prepare for their match against Luai's Tigers at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night, the Panthers are aiming for their seventh consecutive victory.