Andrew Johns Questions Blaize Talagi’s Future at Penrith as Jett Cleary Arrives

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns has questioned whether Blaize Talagi has a future at Penrith Panthers, citing the 21-year-old’s defensive vulnerabilities and the arrival of fellow 21-year-old Jett Cleary from the Warriors. Talagi, contracted until the end of 2027, has fallen from first-choice five-eighth to the extended bench in recent weeks, with Jack Cogger and Jack Cole preferred by coach Ivan Cleary.

Why Talagi lost his starting spot

Talagi started at five-eighth for much of the 2026 season but has not held the position since Round 21. Coach Ivan Cleary has instead favoured Jack Cogger, who is suspended for the final round, and Jack Cole. Talagi’s only recent appearance came off the bench in Round 24 against the Sydney Roosters, where he played the final 15 minutes. Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour that Talagi’s defensive effort sits at 65 to 70 percent, which does not align with Ivan Cleary’s defensive mentality.

Jett Cleary’s arrival complicates Talagi’s path back

Jett Cleary, Talagi’s age at 21, made an impressive NRL debut for the Warriors last week against the Knights in Auckland. He set up three tries and kicked brilliantly in a 46-32 win, with his father Ivan and brother Nathan watching from the stands. Jett will join Penrith in the off-season, while Jack Cole departs for the Bears. Johns said Talagi has gone down the pecking order and faces a tough off-season ahead.

Defensive concerns overshadow attacking talent

Johns acknowledged that Talagi possesses attacking spark but raised concerns about his defence. Earlier in 2026, when Canterbury played Penrith, Jacob Preston and Casey Mclean targeted Talagi in the gap between them. Johns suggested Talagi’s confidence has been affected since then, and teams continue to exploit his defensive weaknesses. In his brief appearance against the Roosters, Talagi threw an intercept and looked out of place.

Talagi’s contract and future options

Penrith committed heavily to Talagi after Jarome Luai’s exit following the 2024 season. The 21-year-old is contracted to the Panthers until the end of 2027, but his path to regular first-grade football appears blocked. Johns stated plainly, ‘Moving forward, I don’t know if he’s got a future there at Penrith,’ signalling that Talagi may need to seek opportunities elsewhere to revive his NRL career.

Final Thoughts

Talagi faces a critical off-season with his Penrith future in serious doubt. Unless he significantly improves his defence, the arrival of Jett Cleary and the established form of Cogger and Cole suggest limited opportunities ahead.

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