IT SEEMS rivalry in the NRL is far from dead after Panthers star Michael Jennings yesterday let every rugby league fan know exactly how he feels about Parramatta.

"I don't hate the Parramatta players, just the team they represent," said Jennings, whose comments will light the fuse ahead of tomorrow's final trial match against the Eels at Centrebet Stadium (formerly CUA Stadium).

"If you come through the Penrith juniors, you're brought up to hate Parra. That's how I was brought up and I'm sure it's still going on."

Jennings twinged a hamstring at training yesterday, but such is his passion for the local derby he is still hoping to be given the all-clear to play.

Jennings was not alone with his ill-feeling towards Parramatta. Penrith prop Tim Grant admitted last night: "You're always bred to be passionate about your jersey.

"Parramatta are the closest team to us, so it's us versus them."

Proud Parramatta junior Tim Mannah did not want to be drawn into the war of words, especially given he would be in the thick of the action out on the field.

"It's easy for Jenko to say what he likes because he's not getting bashed in the middle," Mannah said.

"So I don't want to say anything because I'll get smashed.

"I'm actually Jenko's age. We played against each other a fair bit growing up. A lot of us went to school together and played against each other, so there's always been bragging rights."



Just 35km separates Parramatta and Penrith along the M4 Motorway.



Parramatta has a Westfields and vibrant restaurant strip along Church St, while Penrith has its giant Panthers club and regatta centre.



According to Parramatta skipper Nathan Hindmarsh, the Panthers-Eels clashes have become a bigger highlight on the calendar for most fans than the traditional Parramatta-Bulldogs stoush.



Hindmarsh grew up in the Southern Highlands, but he has been at Parramatta long enough to know the club's history with the mountain men.



Jennings had ice strapped to his hamstring midway through yesterday's training run and will consult the team's medical staff today.His teammate Michael Gordon also felt a twinge in his right hamstring and is a scratching.

He joins Trent Waterhouse (pectoral muscle) and Travis Burns (suspension) on the sidelines for the team's final trial.Lachlan Coote will return from a groin injury and is keen to get at least 20 minutes under his belt before the Panthers' first-round match against Newcastle.The Roosters and Rabbitohs have staged plenty of epic battles, as have Cronulla and the Dragons, and Parramatta and Manly.



But Jennings' comments are sure to kick-start a modern-day rivalry that will continue well beyond tomorrow night.

Originally published as Jenning says he hates Parra