NRL 2024: Panthers hopeful Jarome Luai will be fit to play Wigan in the World Club Challenge

Despite going under the knife after Penrith’s grand final victory over Brisbane, the Panthers are hopeful superstar five-eighth Jarome Luai will be fit and firing when they take on Wigan next month.

Confidence is growing in the Penrith camp that Jarome Luai will be fit to play against Wigan in the World Club challenge next month.

Fullback Dylan Edwards declared Luai, who had shoulder surgery following the grand final last October, is going to “give himself every chance” of lining up against the Super League champions on February 25 in the UK.

On a day the Panthers celebrated its third straight premiership with a street parade and fan day in Penrith, Edwards said Luai was tracking nicely.

“I’m not sure of the exact time line, but he is training very well, doing a lot of rehab and working really hard, so he is going to give himself every chance.” Edwards said on Saturday.

The Panthers are hopeful star five-eighth Jarome Luai will be ready to play against Wigan in the World Club challenge next month. Picture: David Swift

The Panthers allayed any fears that Luai’s signing with the Tigers from 2025 could destabilise this year’s campaign.

Far from having a negative impact on the squad, Edwards said they would use Luai’s pending departure as inspiration to win a fourth straight title.

“We would love to send him off on a high note. He is still one of our brothers and he is going to compete as hard as he can this year, so hopefully send him off as a winner.” he said.

Young gun Sunia Turuva insisted it was business as usual for Luai in Penrith.

Luai’s Panthers teammates say his departure in 2025 will be an inspiration, not a distraction, for their 2024 premiership bid. Picture: David Swift

“He has still been his loud self and been the pest he is,” Turuva said.

“I personally haven’t seen anything different from Jarome this year.”

Like Edwards, Turuva is happy for Luai to do what he thinks is best for his family and the flying winger wants to continue the tradition of sending his “brothers” out of the club on a high note.

“The boys would love that for him, we just gotta try and make sure we finish on a good note for him, like we did for Spenny (Spencer Leniu), Critta (Stephen Chrichton) and Cogs (Jack Cogger).

Meanwhile, off-contract Turuva is in no hurry to lock down a new deal.

“I haven’t heard much yet … the main goal is to get that ring (premiership) again. I’m loving it here,” he said.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Panthers hopeful Jarome Luai will be fit to play Wigan in the World Club Challenge