Penrith coach Ivan Cleary is refusing to panic about his side’s scoreless start to the NRL season as the Panthers make moves to lock down the services of strike centre Izack Tago.
In what represents a coup for the Panthers given the top-line talent that has been picked off by rival clubs in recent seasons, Tago is close to agreeing a new deal at the three-time back-to-back premiers.
Cleary would not confirm Tago had re-committed to the club, but told reporters on Monday: “Izack is one of our juniors and still only 21 and that’s hard to believe.
“He’s already won two comps and played for his country so I can only see better ahead for him and hopefully he will be with us for some time (yet).”
While the Panthers work to extend Tago’s deal, the more immediate concern for Cleary is fixing their attack after an 8-0 defeat away to Melbourne in their season opener.
Taking their World Club Challenge defeat to Wigan into account, Penrith have not crossed for a try in more than two hours of game-time.
Cleary will be looking for a marked improvement at home on Friday against Parramatta, who beat them in both regular-season meetings between the clubs last year.
“Every team is similar at the start of the season … and we’re no different,” Cleary said.
“Some guys have done more training and played more trials than others and we’re clearly still trying to find our feet in that regard.
“We also got a little bit clunky, kind of chasing down points at the end of the game.
“We’re probably trying too hard. To the Storm’s credit their scramble was outstanding and they frustrated us as well.
“(It is) all the stuff you have got to go through games to iron out, and we’ll take plenty from the (Melbourne) game.”
READ MORE:
Penrith star to become highest-paid centre in NRL
The Penrith Panthers and centre Izack Tago have reportedly agreed to terms on a new contract that will see him remain at the club until the end of the 2028 season.
Currently contracted until the end of the 2025 season, the club have upgraded his deal by extending his tenure for a further three seasons, per The Sydney Morning Herald.
It is understood that the club reached out to his agent before the World Club Challenge match against the Wigan Warriors in England, and the extension will see him earn a $3 million extension – $750,000 per season.
This bumper deal would see the two-time NRL premiership winner become one of the highest-paid centres in the NRL and is more money than what Bradman Best earned when re-signing with the Newcastle Knights earlier this year.
A Saint Marys Saints junior, he has been a sensation since Ivan Cleary handed him his NRL debut in 2021 against the Wests Tigers. While he may not have cemented his spot in the team then, it didn’t take him long to do so.
Staying true to his word, Tago told Zero Tackle last year that he would always choose to remain with the Panthers if he had the option.
“Penrith is everything to me; it’s home,” Tago said.
“I think that’s a massive part of the culture we have here like it’s a homegrown club, and most of the players are all juniors that’s come up through Penrith.
“So it’s home for everyone, and we try and give back to the fans as much as possible.
“I would always choose to stay if I had the option.”
The Penrith Panthers will now focus on re-signing Taylan May, Sunia Turuva and Mitch Kenny with the trio off-contract at the end of the season.
