Izack Tago’s Emotional Journey and NRL Challenges
Izack Tago, a key player for the Penrith Panthers, has opened up about the emotional struggles he faced during the start of the 2026 NRL season. The 24-year-old revealed that the heartbreaking loss of his grandfather played a significant role in his rocky beginning to the season. This personal tragedy affected his performance and led to him being dropped from the starting lineup, creating an opportunity for Tom Jenkins, who has since excelled on the field.
A Disrupted Pre-Season and New Opportunities
Tago’s pre-season was disrupted, and he found himself sidelined ahead of the opening round. This situation allowed Jenkins to step into the spotlight, making a strong impact on the try-scoring charts. Initially, Tago had to play in the NSW Cup to prove his worth and force his way back into the first-grade squad. However, the strong form of the Panthers’ left edge has made it difficult for Tago to reclaim his starting spot. Coach Ivan Cleary has been using Tago off the bench as an edge forward in recent weeks.
It has now come to light that the death of Tago’s grandfather on the eve of the new season was the reason behind his delayed start compared to his teammates. “He was probably the main father figure in my life. It was a hard time,” Tago told AAP about the personal loss. Penrith decided to allow Tago to be with his family during this difficult time, rather than rushing him back for Round 1. Tago believes this decision was the right one, as his mind was not fully focused on football at the time.
“It was probably good for me to have a break from footy at the time, even though it was the start of the year. My mind was in another place,” he added. “The boys were probably better prepared than I was. It was best for the team.”
Embracing a Team-First Mentality
Despite being a regular starter in the centres for years, Tago has struggled to regain his spot due to the strong performances of Paul Alamoti and Casey McLean. With Tom Jenkins dominating on one wing and Origin star Brian To’o on the other, Tago has had to accept a team-first mentality, featuring off the bench for coach Cleary’s ladder-leaders.
“I came through the whole system as a Panthers junior and that’s something we value,” Tago said. “I wouldn’t be much of a Panther or a teammate if I wasn’t having that mindset. I just didn’t want to be kicking stones, I tried to prepare the boys as best as I could in whatever role I was doing at training.”
Transitioning to a Back-Row Role
Tago’s name was even mentioned in a potential swap deal for Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri at one point, but the Panthers ruled out the possibility. His value to the team has been highlighted by a successful transition into a back-row role off the interchange in recent weeks. This included a match-winning try in Sunday’s thrilling two-point win over Manly.
“It’s a good feeling after a few weeks out, it’s good to be back,” Tago said about the decisive try. “If that’s what’s best for the team (coming off the bench)… then I’ll be more than happy to play that and keep growing in that role.”
