What the Penrith Panthers NRL premiership win means to the Pacific

Pacific players have had a huge impact on the Penrith Panthers’ dynastic NRL title three-peat, and in this week’s grand final they once again proved how crucial they are to the team’s success.

Pacific pride was on full display as the Penrith Panthers’ stars received their championship rings following their 26-24 defeat of the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL) grand final.

Jarome Luai, Stephen Chrichton, Brian To'o, Moses Leota and Nathan Cleary were among those wearing ula lole or lolly necklaces walking up to receive their third grand final ring.

And over the club’s three title winning seasons, the Panthers’ Pacific players have played a crucial role , says Toa Samoa assistant coach Willie Poching.

“We have different attributes and different talents, and it’s about nurturing and enhancing that. Sometimes as coaches, we take that away in an effort of making the jigsaw pieces of a team fit.

“What Ivan Cleary has shown is you can still hold onto that flair. You can bring your personal expertise to the team, we can all make it fit while still being disciplined to stay on our game plan.”

Poching says some coaches can be too restrictive which in turns stops athletes from expressing themselves and becoming robotic.

“We’ve coached robots before, telling players to run there, kick there and chase in a line. You can grab any player off the street and teach them that.

“But the point of difference here is what makes them different. They’re proud of who they are on and off the field, they’re not afraid to stand out and be proud of where they are [from] Western Sydney [and] Toa Samoa.”

Poching alludes to the Panthers pre-match preparations which often includes players walking around with a speaker playing loud music..

He says though these acts are scrutinised by the media, but it is something that helps Pacific players express themselves.

“We say to people be yourselves, and when those guys are being themselves they are criticised. But I’m proud of them! I’m proud of the way they are.

“I’m proud that Jarome Luai will come out and say what he says, be what he is on the field. If he wasn’t himself, he wouldn’t be the player he is today.

Poching makes special mention of former NZ Warriors coach Ivan Cleary for how he’s turned the club around, given it was close to the bottom of the table when he began his stint with the club.

“Cleary has gotta take a big pat on the back for allowing them to do that, to be themselves. To walk around with their boombox! A lot of people would say ‘who are they to play music coming off the bus?!’

“People would say they shouldn’t be playing music, they should be focused on playing. But you can do both!”

Former Warriors General Manager and Pacific Media Network chief executive Don Mann adds to this point, saying there is a certain prejudice against ethnic athletes across sporting codes.

“There’s a certain bias and prejudice when you’re talking of athletes of colour.

“They’re almost supposed to be grateful and humble and non-confrontational. You see that in [the criticism of] Luai.

But Mann says the Pacific playing group in the Panthers’ have set a new benchmark in the NRL, which will inspire thousands of Pacific youth to follow suit.

“To see the boys, our people with profile wear their identity with pride is huge.

“So all the young boys and girls, in particular in this case because there’s so many Samoan men in the Penrith team - seeing the boys do what they do the pride is tremendous.

“It transcends the Samoan community, and cuts right across the Pacific population.”

Mann reflects on the moment seeing the ula loles on the big stage and says the gesture is part of a bigger movement from Pacific professional athletes.

“There’s a movement amongst Pacific athletes worldwide, I mean you see it in the NFL with Tua Tagovailoa wearing his traditional wear for the Dolphins last week. The Black Ferns wearing their cultural pride at the Rugby World Cup.

“It’s really bigger than the sport.”