Blues rookie caps brilliant week by shining for Panthers

Four days after producing a NSW Origin cameo to remember, McLean was the hero for Penrith as they scored an epic 20-18 won over the New Zealand Warriors.

The Warriors were pushing hard for the winner with two minutes remaining, enjoyed a few repeat sets, then McLean tackled fullback Taine Tuaupiki and forced the ball free.

The 20-year-old also bagged a first-half double; in his second try he positioned himself beautifully in front of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to catch a Jack Cogger cross-field kick.

McLean is such a joy to watch and has a huge future. The same can be said for the Panthers and Warriors, who deserved better than a Sunday evening kick-off, and are a good chance of meeting on grand final day.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary loved what he saw from McLean at Accor Stadium against Queensland and went as far to say his performance proved the difference against the Warriors.

“He was outstanding, awesome, he likes playing against his Kiwi mates as well,” Cleary said.

“I got asked about him playing on the wing [for NSW] a few weeks back, I know he’s played there, but he hadn’t done pretty much any reps there. Then he goes out [on Wednesday] in the pouring rain and attacked everything ... I’m glad he plays for us.”

Stand-in captain Dylan Edwards, left heartbroken when denied his own Blues’ dream, was another to star for the Panthers.

Edwards, who lost his NSW No.1 jersey to James Tedesco, was asked to lead his club with Blues trio Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o all rested.

During a 10-minute surge in the second half, Edwards shoved former teammate and Warriors rival James Fisher-Harris when he started heckling Paul Alamoti for slipping and letting in a Warriors try. It was very out of character for the mild-mannered Fisher-Harris and Edwards reacted by shoving him before a melee erupted.

Referee Gerard Sutton was clearly unimpressed and read the riot act to the experienced pair.

“This is not up for debate or discussion,” Sutton told both captains.

“There is a try scored, and you come in and want to get in their face.

“If it kicks off, you will lose blokes; the responsibility is on both you guys to get your fellas out. If you don’t do that, I will sit someone down if it happens again. The game is at a critical stage.”

Fisher-Harris said he did not say anything to Alamoti, and revealed after the game: “I just clapped five times, it got a bit heated. I know those boys, it was the heat of the battle, we were just having fun out there.”

The fact Edwards refused to back down from one of the most physically imposing men in rugby league sent