Penrith Panthers star halfback Nathan Cleary has been officially rested for tonight’s Round 20 showdown against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, in a strategic move by coach Ivan Cleary as the reigning premiers gear up for a deep finals run.
The decision, confirmed in the club’s final team list update on Thursday evening, sees young playmaker Blaize Talagi step into the halves alongside Brad Schneider, with veteran Isaiah Yeo also ruled out for rest and recovery.
While fans expressed surprise at the late withdrawal, insiders say the Panthers are managing their top-line talent carefully, prioritizing player longevity after a grueling Origin period and five consecutive wins.
> “It’s about the bigger picture,” coach Ivan Cleary said. “Nathan’s in great form, but we’ve got to be smart heading into the final stretch.”
Cleary, 27, has been in blistering touch since returning from State of Origin duties, orchestrating several key wins and reasserting his status as one of the NRL’s premier playmakers.
With finals just six weeks away and Penrith pushing for a historic fifth consecutive premiership, the move signals a confident focus on long-term goals rather than short-term matchups.
Kick-off against the Rabbitohs is set for 8:00 PM at CommBank Stadium.
