Without halfback Nathan Cleary, it was expected Burton would partner NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai in the halves but coach Ivan Cleary opted to go in a different direction.

Instead of the Dubbo native, Cleary opted for Tyrone May to play in the halves, a move which raised a few eyebrows during and after the match.

"Without Nathan, we tried to keep people in positions as much as we could," he said.

"Tyrone May came in and we kept everyone else in their spots especially having so many guys out in the Origin period who don't get to train in their usual spots so that's why we went with it."

Playing left centre, where he has excelled this season, Burton's first shot at icing the game came off the post but he made no mistake the second time booting the ball over the black dot and Cleary felt it was a big moment in the young star's career.

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"It sure was," he said.

"'Burto' missed a few, I won't say how many in a game against Newcastle last year and I think two or three of those hit the post too and he hit again tonight.

"He keeps nailing them but they won't go through but one thing he isn't afraid to keep stepping up.

"For him to finally get one and such an important one too, it's great."

Parramatta had a chance of their own to win the match, with Mitch Moses hooking a shot just to the right of the post right on full-time handing Penrith the victory.

Cleary also admitted Burton is not afraid of the big stage or failing which he showed on Friday night.

"I just think he is very courageous," he said.

"He keeps backing himself too as he should be because the way he hits them they are going to go over sooner or later.

"Even the set we did to set it up I thought was really good.

"Api [Koroisau] did a really good play before that to give him a bit of space."

Cleary felt the message was simple for his side who will be without their star halfback for up to six weeks after he injured his shoulder in NSW's State of Origin game two victory a week earlier.

"We came here tonight really focusing on teamwork which we do every week but it's going to be more important with Nathan missing and Origin guys coming back in," he said.

"It was always going to be a little bit clunky, which it was but it was also really difficult conditions."

Penrith has the bye next round before taking on the New Zealand Warriors in Gosford on July 18 following the final match of State of Origin to be held in a venue which should be announced in the coming days.

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