Tago brushes aside off night on the right with second ring in reach

Izack Tago is confident he’s put a “soft” return from injury behind him as he hunts a second title with the defending premiers in the NRL decider against the Broncos on Sunday.

Tago has endured a frustrating season, restricted to just 15 games, with pectoral and hamstring injuries prior to making a comeback in Penrith’s 38-4 preliminary final win over the Storm.

A fresh pectoral strain in the lead-up to the finals left the 21-year-old with limited preparation with the side’s only try coming through a one-on-one miss from Tago on Storm centre Justin Olam.

“It was a pretty soft try,” Tago said.

“I read it well but he just got me off guard and went through. For the first game back in a while I was a bit rusty but felt good to get out there and get 80 minutes under my belt heading into the week.

“I always knew I’d get back for the finals. I did my pec earlier in the year so I knew what to expect.

“This one was a lot better. I still have power and could’ve played games but if it wasn’t do or die but they thought it would be better to rest me.”

Tago’s form prior to a hamstring strain in Round 20 was sensational with seven tries and four try assists in five appearances – three of those matches played on the right edge with Stephen Crichton missing through Origin duty.

The combination of Crichton and Brian To’o on the left edge has been enough to convince coach Ivan Cleary that Tago will continue on the right in the decider ahead of a showdown with Herbie Farnworth on Sunday.

“I haven’t played on the right edge for 2-3 years before that,” Tago said.

“But it was good but finding my bearings again. I was getting more confident towards the end.

“The players take the onus on being able to do their job wherever they’re put. If a back is put in the second row they just have high expectations on themselves to get a job done.

“Sometimes it’s good to mix and match and not get comfortable. There’s probably a few reasons behind that. Maybe it’s a combination thing [for Ivan].”

Tago knows a three-peat is within reach and a second ring is possible in just his third year in the NRL and doesn’t see why the Panthers can’t produce an even better performance on grand final day.

“It’s pretty crazy, a mad opportunity for us and the boys who have left this club and helped us get here too, it’s a dynasty that’s been built over time,” Tago said.

“I feel like we’ve still got a lot of footy left in us. It’s scary and we all know that too.”