Penrith Panthers thrash Warriors in minor premiership celebration but Api Koroisau suffers injury
Penrith’s minor premiership party went off without any major hitches – although it’ll keep one eye on the health of hooker Api Koroisau, who left the field with an ankle issue.
The livewire hooker, in career-best form, appeared to be in some discomfort and played just 43 minutes in the 46-12 win over the Warriors.
There’ll be a question of how Penrith manages its stars for next week’s trip to Townsville.
There’ll be nothing to play for, nor a home crowd to put on a show for.
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A few of the Panthers’ troops – Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo to name a couple – could sorely use a rest before another gruelling finals campaign.
But then there’s the likes of Jarome Luai, coming back from a knee injury to pull the strings throughout, or Viliame Kikau, whose ball-playing and running were on point, and looked as fresh as a daisy.
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now.
Whatever Ivan Cleary decides to next week, his team will head into the finals as firm favourites to make it back to the grand final for the third consecutive season, and become just the second team to win back-to-back titles in the NRL era.
The Warriors struck first through a long-range Reece Walsh effort, but after that it was one-way traffic.
And if not for some bombed tries and sloppy ends to sets, the Panthers could have scored a fair few more.
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