Penrith Panthers star Izack Tago has sustained a shoulder injury while representing Samoa in international rugby league. The injury occurred during Samoa’s opening Test match against England, leading to his exclusion from the upcoming second and final game of the tour.
Samoa officials confirmed that Tago’s injury is considered “minor.” Despite the setback, his brother, Jake Tago, has stepped in to take his place in Ben Gardiner’s 19-man squad for the clash.
In the previous match against England, Samoa struggled against a strong performance from Shaun Wane’s team, suffering a comprehensive 34-18 defeat. This game was particularly significant, marking the first encounter between the two teams since Samoa’s historic victory over England in the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup.
Throughout the match, Tago found it challenging to make an impact, finishing with 122 run metres from 13 carries. However, his defensive performance was less impressive, as he missed five of his 18 attempted tackles, contributing to the team’s struggles.
Fortunately, Tago’s injury is not expected to keep him sidelined for long. He is anticipated to return to the field for the Penrith Panthers in their opening round fixture against Cronulla in Las Vegas next year. This upcoming season will see Tago playing in a new-look backline, as key players Sunia Turuva and Jarome Luai have left the club to join the Wests Tigers. In response to these departures, the Panthers have recruited Blaize Talagi from Parramatta, who played alongside Tago in the recent Test.
As Tago recovers, fans will be eager to see how the Penrith Panthers adapt and perform in the 2025 season. With fresh talent joining the squad, the team aims to build on its success and continue its strong presence in the league.
