NRL: Penrith is miles ahead - Taylor

Elijah Taylor occasionally captained the Panthers this season. Photo / Getty Images

For Elijah Taylor, there has been one glaring difference at Penrith compared with his time at the Warriors.

And, no, it's not the culture, preparation or make-up of the team. It's the time he no longer wastes on buses, at airports and in planes.

"The biggest change has been the travel - hands down," said Taylor. "I think the Sydney clubs have a huge advantage there. I remember the first time I drove home from an away game. It was a strange experience."

At Penrith, Taylor spends the majority of his year playing Sydney clubs, and also has short trips to Canberra and Newcastle.

"Often we do the captain's run at our home ground. And you are staying in your own house. You feel a lot fresher. At the Warriors, the travel would take two days out of your week, which affects your preparation. It's not easy."

Aside from that, Taylor can't - or won't - pinpoint too many other variations between his experiences.

"Obviously I like the way Ivan [Cleary] coaches," said Taylor. "He encourages you to be a self-starter. At Penrith, it's all about the team - working hard, doing extras for your team-mates."

Instead, he prefers to talk about similarities; two clubs with huge junior bases, struggling to optimise the potential of that young talent.

"It's a big step up from [under-20s] and it's hard for the young guys," said Taylor. "We've had a few who have struggled coming up and there is much more emphasis on reserve grade here now.

"I think [under-20s] teaches you bad habits. It defensively hinders your game. It's not really a defensive game, more attacking, and so you can get into bad habits, bad reads. Then you get exposed in top grade."

Taylor has a unique perspective. He was at the Warriors for almost a decade - the boy from Hawera made good - and led the Junior Warriors to an under-20s title and was earmarked as a future Warriors captain.

Things changed when Matt Elliott arrived. The Australian preferred Todd Lowrie over Taylor at No 13, which made Penrith's offer in early 2013 that much more appealing.

Taylor has thrived in the west of Sydney but retains a soft spot for his home-town club.

"I felt for them this year," he said. "Like us, they had crucial injuries to key players.

"You do all you can to cover for it but, when you lose key players, it affects the dynamics of your play. It affects your confidence."

In some ways, Taylor has become one of the forgotten men of New Zealand league.

The Panthers' demise kept him out of the NRL spotlight for long periods this year and injuries, along with the emergence of a stock of back-rowers, have limited his Kiwis opportunities since 2013.

But he's adapted to life near the Blue Mountains - "it took a while but it's quiet here ... away from the hustle and bustle" and this season wore the captain's armband, a rare honour for a Kiwi at an Aussie club.

"That was a highlight," said Taylor. "I felt comfortable leading them ... really enjoyed it. It's something I've always aspired to."

Last week, Taylor was initially omitted from the Kiwis train-on squad, a mistake quickly rectified when it became apparent his hand injury wouldn't preclude selection. He will resume training soon but realises it won't be easy to make the final cut.

"There are lot of top players on the scene now. But I've given my all and it is totally up to the selectors now. I'd be as humbled and privileged as always. You never know when your next Kiwis opportunity is."