LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Veteran Panthers prop Moses Leota has acknowledged that the team's experienced players "didn't do the job" in their previous match against Newcastle when their State of Origin stars were absent.
As the Panthers prepare to face the Warriors, their main focus is on improving their defense.
Despite being fresh off a bye, the team is looking to avoid a repeat of Round 12, when they were caught off guard by an early onslaught from the Knights, who established a 24-0 lead in the first half.
Although Penrith managed a stronger second half, they ultimately paid the price, having missed an astonishing 55 tackles, which allowed players Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Lucas to exploit their weaknesses on the edges.
The upcoming match presents additional challenges, as coach Ivan Cleary indicated that key Origin players-Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Isaah Yeo, and Liam Martin-are unlikely to travel from Perth to Auckland.
However, Lindsay Smith is expected to play since he won't participate in the upcoming Origin match.
This situation poses a significant challenge for the rest of the squad, especially since Penrith currently sits in ninth place following a couple of tough wins before their break.
"We didn't do the job the last time the Origin boys were out, so we're trying to build something this week," Leota commented, underscoring the need for improvement and cohesion among the remaining players.