Blaize Talagi has opened up on his “daunting” transfer to reigning premiers Penrith, which he likened to “transferring to a brand new faculty” after a whirlwind rookie season.
The 19-year-old made his debut lower than a 12 months in the past with Parramatta, bursting onto the scene and taking part in a wide range of roles for the proud membership.
In his first recreation within the prime grade, Talagi left Tom Trbojevic in his wake with an aesthetic solo attempt that instantly put the rugby league world on discover.
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Sadly, the teenager struggled at occasions because the Eels fell down the ladder, however admits the steep studying curve gave him loads to consider.
“All of it come fairly quick and hit me proper within the face,” Talagi advised Huge World of Sports activities.
Blaize Talagi throughout his rookie season with Parramatta. Getty
“That being mentioned, I loved it as a result of that is what I’ve at all times needed to do. I’ve had a while to replicate within the low season, relax and get away from footy.
“The largest lesson I realized is about how one can maintain my physique. The sport takes a toll on you … even little issues like my sleep and food regimen have been large.”
Parramatta had hoped to carry onto one of many recreation’s brightest younger skills, who has the flexibility to cowl anyplace within the backline and offers true X-factor in assault.
Nonetheless, with uncertainty over his long-term place on the Eels beneath new coach Jason Ryles, the teenager sensation opted to check his worth on the open market.
With a number of NRL golf equipment chasing Talagi’s signature, he might have taken the massive bucks and cashed in on all of the hype surrounding his future.
However as an alternative, Talagi landed with the Panthers and it is a determination the thrilling Samoan worldwide already feels goes to repay for his profession long-term.
Blaize Talagi throughout pre-season coaching with the Panthers. Penrith Panthers
“It was a bit daunting before the transfer,” he mentioned.
“Transferring to a brand new membership with new faces, it was like transferring to a brand new faculty, however as quickly as I got there, I felt welcomed and I have been having fun with it.
“It has been an enormous change for me, however I like it right here. The group is so linked, there isn’t any people that nobody likes or something like that.
“It was the chance to go to a membership who’ve been on the prime of the sport and have so many gamers with that kind of expertise who I can be taught off.
“The strain’s not on me right here.”
Talagi was earmarked as a possible replacement at five-eighth for one of many membership’s favorite sons, Jarome Luai, after his low season transfer to the Wests Tigers.
Jarome Luai in his new Wests Tigers colors. Wests Tigers
Whereas there are actually no ensures that Talagi will put on the No.6 jumper given the likes of Jack Cole, Daine Laurie and Brad Schneider are additionally vying for the vacant playmaking function, it is a problem he’s greater than able to deal with head-on.
“That is the place I’ve been coaching and that is the place I’ve at all times needed to play and have at all times performed,” he mentioned.
“That competitors makes me hungry for it and it drives me.
“Nothing is assured and I do not need to simply be given a jersey, I need to earn it.”
Ought to he get the nod for spherical one, Talagi will associate the consensus greatest participant within the competitors Nathan Cleary for a visit to Las Vegas.
Nathan Cleary in the course of the NRL grand remaining final 12 months. Getty
The pair have already began to type a bond since Talagi’s arrival at Penrith and it is going to be a change of tempo for Cleary, who has spent the previous 5 seasons with Luai.
“He is been actually good for me, not simply with the footy facet of issues, however off the sphere too – I have been spending quite a lot of time with him,” Talagi mentioned.
“I have been studying quite a bit from him. He is fairly guarded, he is a quiet man, however he talks when he has to and I like that about him.
“I really feel like I will discuss to him and will ask him for recommendation if I have to.”
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