Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson has insisted there’s no bad blood between Blaize Talagi and the club, despite the teenage star leaving the club at the end of the year.
Earlier this week, the club announced Talagi’s time at Parramatta would come to end after this season, with the young star expected to join the Penrith Panthers on a three year deal.
Despite describing Talagi’s departure as “disappointing,” Gutherson praised the outside back for having “the guts to chase what he wants to chase.”
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“All credit to Blaize,” he said.
“We love the kid here. He’s a great kid, really polite kid.
“He’s got a big future in the game. We would’ve loved to keep him but rugby league’s a weird sport. It’s a business and Blaize thought for his career (he needed) to chase somewhere else.”
Many wondered whether the teenage sensation would remain in the Eels plans for the remainder of the season given his departure at the end of the year.
However, Eels coach Trent Barrett kept the centre in his side against the Warriors, and he would reward his coach’s faith by scoring a try and running for 98 metres in the Eels’ shock win.
Gutherson insisted the club’s playing and coaching staff would do everything in their power to “help Blaize grow as a player over the next five weeks.”
“I just want to see him succeed,” the Eels skipper said.
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Gutherson was back at his best in Parramatta’s big win over the Warriors, running for 175 metres, scoring a try, kicking five conversions and preventing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak from scoring right at the death.
Despite the Eels being out of contention for finals football, their skipper insisted the side still had plenty to play for over the final rounds of 2024.
“We’ve got nothing to play for but our pride and a bit of pride in the jersey. We just need to keep doing that (and) see what happens,” he said.
While Parramatta’s defensive resolve was excellent against the Warriors, the performance of their unsung halfback Daejarn Asi proved pivotal to achieving the win, especially during the opening stages of the contest when the Eels were largely stuck in their own end.
“DJ (Asi) probably had one of his best games of his life. Kicked really well (and) defended really well,” Gutherson said.
Eels coach Trent Barrett echoed his captain’s praise for the No.7, stating:
“That’s the best I’ve ever seen him play.”
Source Agencies
