Anthony Griffin has backed makeshift hooker Peter Wallace after Penrith’s 18-16 loss to the Bulldogs at Pepper Stadium.

Tyrone Peachey was originally named to start for the injured James Segeyaro but it was the veteran Wallace who was shifted just prior to kickoff.

“I thought Pete did a great job there. I thought he had really good control. He steadied the team a lot,” Griffin said

“We didn’t have a hooker. Both our hookers were injured. I thought for the team it would work with Peter and his experience in there, picking the ball up first and Jamie playing behind him. I thought it worked really well.

“At this moment, at this time, with this team, once we lost Segeyaro it was the best solution for us. We could’ve thrown a kid in there that wasn’t ready in a really heavyweight slugfest.

“We needed some experience out there. I thought the team functioned really well and part of the reason we functioned well was because we had a really cool head in there making decisions at dummy half.”

Meanwhile Canterbury coach Des Hasler already has one eye on rivals Parramatta and their round three clash.

“It’s a good start for us to get consecutive wins,” the Canterbury coach said.

“I think we go home for the first time next week. I think it’s a local derby against Parramatta. They were particularly impressive even though they had a loss last week. It’ll be another big one next Friday.”