Keenan Palasia was left battered and bereft by Penrith in the NRL grand final so lining up with a suite of Panthers stars for Samoa is a welcome change for the Brisbane forward.
The 26-year-old, who links with the Gold Coast from 2024, will play lock against Australia on Saturday night in Townsville in the Pacific Cup opener.
He will be joined by Panthers grand-final winners Stephen Crichton, Izack Tago, Brian To’o and Spencer Leniu.
Palasia wants to emulate Leniu, who will join the Sydney Roosters next year.
“I am happy to be playing with the Penrith boys rather than getting beaten and bruised by them,” Palasia told AAP.
“I can’t deal with playing against them all twice in one month.
“Spencer Leniu … I played in the Test match with him for Samoa last year against Cook Islands. He is a beast and I might take a few notes out of his book this week.”
Palasia will have to deal with two of his old Broncos forward partners in Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, who will both play for Australia.
Palasia said he had moved on from the Broncos’ 26-24 loss to the Panthers in the grand final after they led 24-8.
I try not to dwell on it too much. I had a bit of a cry after the game,” he said.
“I celebrated the season with my mates for the next couple of days but now I have to move on from that and win for Samoa.
“You can’t expect to win any game before the hooter sounds. You have to stay in it for the entire 80 minutes. That’s not what we did.
“Penrith did. I’ll make sure I keep that (lesson) in my game for the rest of my career.”
Palasia missed last year’s World Cup where Samoa made the final.
He was back home in Queensland watching on TV as his former housemate Carrigan played in the winning team for Australia.
This season Palasia was outstanding for the Broncos and deserved his recall.
“Last year Pat was playing and I was at home. I was disappointed to miss out on the tour but I knew I wasn’t playing my best footy so I wasn’t surprised,” Palasia said.
“I knew I had to put my best foot forward this year and I am grateful to wear the Toa Samoa jersey again
“I am excited to do my dad’s (Brian Palasia) heritage proud and hopefully get a couple of wins under my belt.
“Dad has been a role model. He has shown me how to be a man and how to live my life.”