Penrith Panthers will be without superstar halfback Nathan Cleary for the first three weeks of 2022 – but his teammates aren’t concerned by it in the slightest.
The 24-year-old will be given an extra few weeks to recover from off-season shoulder surgery, with club officials wary of a long campaign for the defending premiers.
Cleary will be replaced in the No.7 jumper by Sean O’Sullivan – a young man who has been to four NRL clubs for just 21 appearances since debuting with the Roosters back in 2018.
But after a promising pre-season, halves partner Jarome Luai is full of confidence in the man who will look to fill the shoes of the game’s elite playmaker in their opening round clash with the Sea Eagles.
We’re definitely going to miss him (Cleary) out there on the field on Thursday and the following rounds,” he said.
“Nath is a professional and one of the most diligent guys I’ve ever met, so he was obviously going to do everything he could have done to get out there. I’m not too sure why they pushed it back to round four, but it’s obviously a long year and they are doing what is best for Nath.
“It doesn’t change much at all – Sully has come in and done a great job, he’s really bought into our culture and systems. He’s really fitted into Nath’s shoes really well.
“He was a year younger than me coming through the system – I got the opportunity to play with Sully at school footy.
“I’ve played touch footy with Sully back when we were 12, so I’ve known him for a while and he’s always been around in the system.
“There’s no real expectations, he has come into this pre-season and done an awesome job and he’s training really well and I know he is going to get the job done.
“We have got a lot of faith in him and what he can do, he’s a really good bloke and ready to put my body on the line for him and the rest of the team.”
O’Sullivan moved to Brisbane during the 2019 season on a two-year deal, but during Anthony Seibold’s ill-fated run in charge, only managed eight games for the Broncos.
His move to the Warriors last year saw him earn a lot more opportunities due to injuries in the halves, and veteran Penrith hooker Api Koroisau was full of praise for the 23-year-old upon his move to Penrith.
“He’s been great – for someone to come into a new team and act the way he has, he has been himself,” Koroisau said.
“He is a real genuine guy and really brings a lot of great energy. He is never sad or down, he’s got his head up and loves to tell a story too. The boys really get around that and enjoy his company.
“Even when Nath is there, Jarome is the chief and he’s always calling his own shots.
“It’s one of those things where it’s a collective – we have a 7 and a 6, and one plays off the ball and one plays on the ball.
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