Luai stars as Panthers survive Knights scare

Penrith's Jarome Luai was far from tongue-tied after he scored a try against the Knights.

Jarome Luai has hoisted Penrith to 26-18 defeat of Newcastle that continued his purple patch of form only hours out from the team announcement for State of Origin II.

Since his NSW side was outgunned in the State of Origin series opener, playmaker Luai has turned in two starring performances, his efforts in a 20-6 first half proving the difference on Sunday.

The Knights were gallant all afternoon and stormed back into the contest after half-time.

Luai's rival halfback Jackson Hastings set up back-to-back tries as Newcastle threatened to pull off a come-from-behind upset before a sold-out home crowd.

But on return from the quad injury that snatched his NSW debut away ahead of game one, fullback Dylan Edwards scored the try that put the Panthers back on top and on their way to a hard-fought win.

Still missing talismanic co-captain Nathan Cleary, Penrith will finish round 15 in second place, as high as they have sat all season.

It was a poor defensive effort from Luai that led to the Knights' first try, the half failing to wrap up Fletcher Sharpe and watching as the stand-in fullback opened the scoring only three minutes into his second NRL game.

But from there, Luai and halves partner Brad Schneider conspired to steady the ship.

After forcing back-to-back dropouts off his boot, Luai caught former Panthers teammate Jack Cogger asleep in the defensive line and strolled over for a deft individual try.

In the shadows of half-time, after Scott Sorensen beat Cogger to a loose ball, the Panthers worked upfield where Luai threw a flat no-look pass to Lindsay Smith. The big man slid over to put Penrith up 20-6 at the half-time whistle.

The Knights had been gutsier than that scoreline suggested and when field position turned, the scoreline threaten to as well.

Centre Bradman Best was immense on return from a hamstring injury and when he pounced on a Hastings cross-field kick, his side was well in the fight at 20-18.

It was an Edwards kick return that put the Panthers back in control, the fullback weaving through defenders and coming down close to the halfway line to end a period of Knights dominance.

Shortly thereafter, he followed Moses Leota after the prop burst through the middle and had a try to show for his trademark support running.

Presumptive Blues forward Liam Martin showed no signs of the foot injury that ruled him out of last week's win over Manly, putting in 71 minutes on the edge for Penrith.