TAGO CHASES HIS BEST SEASON YET

from Extra Time Round 8 (Panthers v Souths) - April 21 2023

HOW CLEARY BECAME BEST IN THE BIZ

“It was pretty cool being around that group of professionals and seeing a different side some of the boys from here too, taking up more leadership roles,” he said.

We may only be a quarter of the way through the season, but Panthers centre Izack Tago has already taken his game to another level.

Following his World Cup stint with Samoa towards the end of last year, the 21-year-old has used that incredible experience to not only his but Penrith’s benefit during the opening rounds of 2023 season.

With the Panthers flying high once again to start the year, Tago has also been in fine form as he inches closer and closer to his 50th NRL game.

Speaking with Extra Time, the St Marys junior said he feels completely comfortable out on the footy field, not that he ever wasn’t.

“I was never uncomfortable when I first came into grade, I guess it’s like an experience thing,” Tago said.

“Now this feels normal.”

After his six-game debut season in 2021, Tago played nearly every match last year, including Penrith’s incredible Grand Final victory over Parramatta.

Following that, he was chosen in Samoa’s World Cup team and played with the surprise packets for two games before suffering an unfortunate injury and being ruled out for the remainder of the tournament. Tago said his time over in England was something that he’ll never forget.

“I also enjoyed the cultural side of things as well.

“It was massive for not only our culture, but how they bring it into the game and play with so much pride and passion.”

When Tago returned to Panthers pre-season training in the new year, his mission was to build on his outstanding sophomore season in which he scored 13 tries and lost just three games.

In his first half a dozen games this year, Tago is running, on average, more metres than in 2021 (169m per game) and his missed tackle rate has reduced.

“I feel like I’ve picked up where I left off last year,” Tago said.

“I’m trying to build on it and just be consistent… trying not to take the game for granted and do as good as I can.”

Off-contract at the end of 2025, Tago said it was his mission coming into this season to pick up his running game and help his forward pack out.

“It’s always been a strong point for us – our back five metres – so I wanted to have a focus of getting a bit more ball,” he admitted.

“I knew I could make more metres, I just needed a few more extra carries to get them.

“That’s definitely a point I’ve been trying to focus on this year.”