Penrith gave coach Ivan Cleary a few more grey hairs but still began life after Jarome Luai with a 28-22 NRL win over Cronulla in the last Las Vegas game for 2025.
The four-time reigning premiers had their wobbles at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday (AEDT) as they took their first steps without Luai and James Fisher-Harris - the two most important players they have lost in five years as NRL heavyweights.
But against a Sharks side tipped as genuine title contenders, early signs were that Penrith will be competitive as long as Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo are on deck.