GUN Panthers recruit James Tamou has revealed just how little expectation Penrith had for their Auckland Nines campaign, despite going within a whisker of winning the pre-season tournament their bosses want scrapped from the rugby league calendar.

A Nathan Cleary sidestep around a cover defending Latrell Mitchell could have conceivably delivered his side the unlikeliest of trophies, with a bonus zone try and conversion all that was needed to seal a thrilling comeback win in the final against the Roosters.

It wasn’t to be, with Cleary playing it safe and scoring his try wide out, in a difficult position for the game-tying conversion, which was ultimately missed by Darren Nicholls.

The NRL books all clubs on Sunday afternoon flights home in case they are knocked out early, a scenario club boss Phil Gould surely wouldn’t have minded given his strong opposition to the weekend event.

Still, Tamou was clear that the Panthers had not made much of an effort to succeed in the pre-season tournament.

“We didn’t expect too much, I think there was a scheduled flight for us today, so that goes to show how much we put into it,” Tamou said.

“But you know, the boys wanted to put in and it was a good weekend for us. It was a good experience.”

Gould and Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher both spoke out strongly against the Nines last week, before the club announced a weakened squad that looked a long shot to make a dent in the tournament.

Our coach & his staff have given our players great off-season preparation. Performance of our team at 9s this weekend emphasizes potential — Phil Gould (@Gus10Gould) February 5, 2017

However, outstanding performances across the weekend from Tamou, team of the tournament surprises Waqa Blake and Moses Leota, and young guns led by Jed Cartwright and Dylan Edwards catapulted them all the way to the big dance.

Tamou was impressed with his unfancied teammates and said Gould would be happy with the club’s performance despite his view on the two-day pre-season carnival.

“I’m sure he’ll have a couple of text messages or something,” Tamou said of Gould.

“Anything the Panthers do I’m sure he’ll enjoy.”

From the moment he arrived at the club, Tamou has been bullish about Penrith’s chances of winning the 2017 premiership and he said the Nines proved how ready his new side were for the challenges of the long season ahead.

“It’s tough. You can only take so much from the Nines, it’s obviously a different game but it will be a good year, we had a big pre-season and it shows,” Tamou said.

“The boys are fit and it’s just good we’re on a good track to start the season.

“ ... Like I said, Nines is tough, it’s obviously a different game and a lot of our boys are still at home.

“But the boys put their hand up for selection for round one and that’s good to see from those young boys.

“But everyone’s just eager and keen to go. It’s good to see and I’m looking forward to it.”

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