It was described by Michael Ennis in commentary as a “brave move” from Ivan Cleary, to bench premiership-winning hooker Apisai Koroisau, with their starting halves sidelined.
But it proved a masterstroke as Koroisau set up two tries, including the matchwinning try to Liam Martin, as the Penrith Panthers defeated the South Sydney Rabbitohs 26-22 in a Thursday night thriller.
The victory sees the Panthers take home the J. J. Giltinan Shield for the second time in three years.