NRL Early Mail preliminary finals 2023: Nathan Cleary sent to hospital for scans

Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary has been sent to hospital for scans on an injured finger just days from the huge clash against the Storm, but it’s better news for his halves partner.

Jarome Luai is set to return for the preliminary final. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary has sent a scare through the Panthers camp only days out from their preliminary final clash against the Storm after being rushed to hospital for scans on a finger injury.

This masthead understands that Cleary had his finger “readjusted” but Penrith officials insist he is in no doubt for Friday night’s game against Melbourne at Accor Stadium.

It is understood Cleary suffered the injury at training on Monday morning and was taken to Norwest Hospital for scans. Although Penrith was quick to play down the significance of the injury, the fact that he was taken to hospital suggested it had the potential to be serious.

Panthers officials, however, insisted he had been given the all clear to take his place on Friday night as the club looks to qualify for their fourth consecutive grand final.

The news came as Cleary’s halves partner Jarome Luai stepped up his return from a shoulder problem by training with his teammates without a non-contact bib.

Nathan Cleary has been sent to hospital for scans on an injured finger. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty

Luai is on track to make his comeback as he prepares to renew his rivalry with the Storm. His shoulder will no doubt be a target for the Storm as they look to overcome a poor recent record against Penrith to keep their season alive.

The Storm have lost four of their past five games against Penrith and more often than not, Luai and Cleary have led the way. Stopping them will be the key for the Storm on Friday night.

“They have got a number of key men,” Storm hooker Harry Grant said.

“That is one of their strengths. He (Cleary) is a great bloke. What I learnt from him is he leaves no stone unturned with his preparation.

“He is the ultimate competitor and his involvements are through the roof. He is their main conductor - you watched on the weekend he was running the ball a bit more with Luai out.

“He might make an appearance, you never know.”

Jarome Luai. Picture: Jake Hunter

While Cleary will be the primary focus for the Storm, he won’t be the only player on their radar. It starts with slowing down their rampaging forward pack, something veteran Storm forward Tariq Sims knows only too well,

The Storm are under no illusions. For years, they set the standard in the NRL but they have now ceded that status to the Panthers.

“Since last Friday night all of our focus has been straight on Penrith,” Sims said.

“In my opinion they have been the benchmark for the NRL for the past four or five years. What is crazy is how young those guys are.

“They are coached really, really well. They have come the junior ranks together and into first grade. It reminds me of the baby Broncos.

“The under 20s team shifted straight up into first grade. I know how they train, I know how tight they are, I know how focused they are.

“We are going to have our hands full on Friday night.”

STAR PANTHER OUT BUT LUAI SET FOR ‘MIRACLE’

Penrith winger Brian To’o is backing Jarome Luai to pull off a ‘miracle’ return from injury with the five-eighth to put his dislocated shoulder to the test for the first time in a contact session on Monday.

It comes as To’o also ruled out another teammate, Izack Tago, from Friday’s preliminary final showdown against Melbourne.

Luai hasn’t played since dislocating his left shoulder against Parramatta in round 26.

But the playmaker was able to complete Penrith’s first field session of the week on Sunday morning unscathed.

To’o told this masthead that Luai is ticking all the boxes in his recovery and is firming to take the field against the Storm at Accor Stadium.

“He’s been training well. Just given the nature of his injury he’s been going well so far. It’s good to see him back on the field again, it’s a miracle he’s back so soon and back on the field playing,” To’o said.

“It could have been worse.”

Penrith’s Jarome Luai. Picture: Getty Images

Luai didn’t appear to be hampered by the injury on Sunday morning, but did train with his shoulder heavily strapped.

Luai and Penrith medical staff had circled week three of the finals series as his return date but the playmaker has one final hurdle to overcome.

Medical staff will test the structural integrity of Luai’s shoulder at another light field session on Monday in what will be gruelling conditions, with the temperature to hit 36 degrees in Sydney’s west as the city swelters through unseasonably warm weather.

If Luai gets through Monday’s fitness test intact, the playmaker’s shoulder will be put under duress in Penrith’s only full-contact opposed session on Wednesday. There, Penrith forwards will give Luai a working over in preparation for the possibility that Storm behemoth Nelson Asofa-Solomona is used on the edge to target Luai in defence.

“He’s been doing fundamentals, slowly getting there. But he’s got all week to be ready,” To’o said.

Since going down three weeks ago, the playmaker has been undergoing an intensive rehab program, including daily physiotherapy, strengthening exercises and even modified wrestling sessions.

“Romy’s (Luai) mental state is solid. To see the things he does off the field to get himself prepared mentally and physically. He’s been doing all the little things to get his body right and get back on the field with the boys hopefully this weekend,” To’o said.

Jack Cogger will again come into the halves if Luai is ruled out this week.

Tyran Wishart dives over to score for the Storm in the NRL semi final against the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park. Picture: Getty Images

Star centre Tago is also in serious doubt for Friday’s clash as he struggles to overcome a pectoral sprain.

Tago was a late omission from the qualifying final against the New Zealand Warriors after going down with the injury in the lead-up to the week one clash.

Like Luai, Tago got through Sunday’s session without any issues but To’o believes the 21-year old is unlikely to recover in time to take on the Storm.

“It just depends, he’s got some niggles but I’d probably rule him out,” To’o revealed.

Tago has already missed six weeks with a pectoral injury earlier this year, before missing another seven weeks with a hamstring injury in the back end of the season.

Luke Garner is shaping as Tago’s replacement again this weekend after the back rower was called to fill-in at right centre against the Warriors in week one of the finals.

Melbourne have their own injury concerns after halfback Jahrome Hughes was ruled out of last weekend’s semi final against the Sydney Roosters with a calf injury.

Hughes will be given until the captain’s run on Thursday before a call is made on his fitness.

Tyran Wishart will prepare as if he is again starting in place of Hughes but also knowing he is likely to be squeezed out.

Originally published as NRL Early Mail preliminary finals 2023: Nathan Cleary sent to hospital for scans