Panthers hooker handed concerning act notice for ‘Hopoate’ incident against Eels

Panthers rake Soni Luke has been handed a concerning act notice by the NRL match review committee after an incident involving J’maine Hopgood.

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Panthers rake Soni Luke has been handed a concerning act notice by the NRL match review committee after an incident involving former teammate J’maine Hopgood.

Footage emerged on social media on Friday showing Luke doing his best John Hopoate impression, catching the eye of officials.

Reaching over his teammate James Fisher-Harris, Luke appeared to place his fingers in between Hopgood’s rear end.

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What in the John Hopoate is going on here? pic.twitter.com/MiZcPQIdRj

— Josh (@JoshCrip) August 25, 2023

The incident saw Hopgood’s legs thrash out before standing up to play the ball.

“The match review committee has today issued the Panthers with a concerning act notice following the actions of Soni Luke,” an NRL spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

The pair played together for the Panthers’ NSW Cup side last season that won the premiership.

Jarome Luai avoids surgery

Meanwhile, Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai has avoided surgery for now and is hoping to return during the finals after he dislocated his shoulder in Thursday’s shock loss to Parramatta.

Luai was sent for scans on Friday morning, with the club confirming he suffered “significant” damage to his left shoulder and must now go through an extensive rehab program to recover in time for the finals that start in two weeks.

Jarome Luai comes off injured.

“Luai suffered a shoulder dislocation in the first half of the round 26 match and soon after had the shoulder relocated by medical staff in the dressing sheds,” the statement read.

“The representative playmaker has avoided immediate surgery however there is significant damage to the shoulder.

“Luai will immediately begin rehabilitation on the injured shoulder in a bid to return during the NRL finals series.”

Luai came off midway through the first half when his left arm got trapped under Bryce Cartwright, who prevented him from scoring a try.

It’s a major blow for the two-time defending premiers who could surrender top spot on the ladder by the end of the round if the Broncos beat Canberra.

“That’s the way it goes sometimes. There are often a lot of injuries at this time of the year in and around the finals,” Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said after the game.

“Whatever happens, we’ll come up with a plan from there.”

Originally published as Panthers hooker handed concerning act notice for ‘Hopoate’ incident against Eels