NRL team lists: Panther Brian To'o out for Cronulla Las Vegas game as Penrith make call at No.6

Jack Cole will get first crack at Penrith’s No.6 jersey after the Panthers opted to go without star recruit Blaize Talagi in Las Vegas.

In a big first Tuesday teams drop of 2025, Penrith confirmed they will not play Talagi against Cronulla following off-season shoulder surgery.

Winger Brian To’o will also miss the marquee clash at Allegiant Stadium, after failing to recover from a hamstring strain in time to play.

The injury means teenager Casey McLean and Paul Alamoti will play on the wings for Penrith, with second-rower Luke Garner moving to the centres.

Isaiah Papali’i will also come off the bench in his first game for the club, while Luron Patea has earned a call up with Liam Henry nursing a shoulder after Sunia Turuva exited for Wests Tigers at the end of last year.

Cronulla’s team has far fewer surprises with Sam Stonestreet winning the race to replace the injured Sione Katoa on the wing.

Katoa is expected to miss at least half of the season following surgery, after being hurt in the club’s opening trial match.

Canberra have made the call to blood two rookies for their match against the Warriors, with 20-year-old Savelio Tamale to start on the wing after Albert Hopoate stayed home for the birth of his child.

Tamale debuted for St George Illawarra against Canberra in the final round of last season, after having already agreed to head to the Raiders in 2025.

Uncapped dummy-half Owen Pattie has also been named to debut off the bench, after impressing in the Raiders’ pre-season trial win over Penrith.

At the Warriors, Chanel Harris-Tavita has beaten out Te Maire Martin for the No.6 jersey with the 25-year-old to partner Luke Metcalf in the halves.

But it is the Panthers who face the most change with a number of stars racing to be fit for the start of their tilt at a fifth straight premiership.

Fullback Dylan Edwards has recovered from a knee injury to play, while superstar halfback Nathan Cleary and second-rower Liam Martin have both overcome shoulder issues.

Talagi was expected to play after his own shoulder injury, but Penrith opted to leave him on ice.

It’s expected he will eventually earn a shot at Jarome Luai’s old No.6 jersey, with the stint on the sideline also allowing him more time to fit into the Panthers’ system.

“He is still really learning and really trying to just take everything in here as well,” Edwards said.

“It’s a good time for him to bide his time and see how everything works out.

“Blaize is a quality player, he will get his shot eventually and I am sure he will take it with both hands. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.”