‘Million-to-one’: NRL greats not buying it as Jarome Luai named for Panthers

The Panthers have named Jarome Luai for Friday’s preliminary final against the Storm, but the belief is it’s nothing more than a “smokescreen”.

Luai seemed alright at training on Sunday. Picture: Jake Hunter

The Penrith Panthers have named Jarome Luai to return from a dislocated shoulder for Friday’s preliminary final against the Melbourne Storm, but league legends aren’t buying it.

It was the round 26 clash against the Eels on August 24th that Luai suffered the horrific injury, when Parramatta’s Bryce Cartwright accidentally landed on the five-eighth’s arm.

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It was seen as a “significant” issue and although he avoided surgery, Luai has been seen as a long shot to make his return.

But the Panthers have named him to return for the grand final qualifier, with the man who has filled in for the injured star, Jack Cogger, dropping to the bench.

Cogger has played alongside Luai and Nathan Cleary, but had played hooker in the match where Luai was injured before slotting into the No. 6 jersey for round 27 and the qualifying final against the Warriors.

Mitch Kenny, who was injured during the back end of the regular season, was named at hooker.

The Panthers have also named Nathan Cleary, who suffered a finger injury at training on Monday, before going to have scans. Panthers officials insist he is in no doubt to play.

Izack Tago will also return in the centres from a pectoral injury, with Luke Garner dropping to the bench after filling in on the edge.

Jarome Luai Jarome Luai just four weeks ago. Picture: NRL Imagery.

But it’s Luai that appears to be the most remarkable selection — and some legends of the game aren’t buying it.

Speaking on Channel 9’s 100% Footy on Monday night, Phil Gould said that if the medical report that was released is accurate, “then I think he’s a million-to-one of playing in this game”.

“He’s certainly a million-to-one of being anywhere near 100 per cent if he dares to go on the field,” Gould added.

“From the vision, I’m confident he can’t take the field in this game, I just don’t see how that’s possible.

“Whether they’re throwing up a smokescreen … if he does, it’s a medical mystery and they should tell us how they did it because everyone would like to know how they got him ready in that short space of time.”

Gus doesn’t buy it. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

On NRL 360, Broncos legend Gorden Tallis said it was an injury that couldn’t be needled to be more comfortable because it’s ligaments.

“I’m not sure whether you could inject that,” he said.

The Australian’s Brent Read said that Luai had trained without a red bib on, which denotes a player who is injured or protected, pointing to the fact that he was no longer on the injured list.

“I think Jarome’s right to go, he trained with the rest of the group today (Monday) and I think they’re really confident he will play on Friday night,” Read said.

Nine’s Danny Weidler said that it will likely be Wednesday’s contact session which will decide if Luai’s in or out.

“I was out there on Sunday and had a look at him, we weren’t allowed to be there for the full session but I saw him doing their warm down and Jarome was holding his shoulder in close as he was jogging around,” Weidler said on Big Sports Breakfast Radio on Tuesday.

“He did catch a couple of balls above his head and I brought that up on 100 per cent footy last night and said well that’s probably a good sign but I was shot down very quickly by Gus and who said that’s not going to matter too much when Justin Olam is hitting you like a Mack truck.

“Gus said he’s a million-to-one to play if the injury was in fact the shoulder popping out, like they told us, to get back and play in time. He reckons it’s long odds which is going against what everybody else has been saying.

“From what we’re told he got through OK yesterday Jarome, I think Penrith have a day of rest today but on Wednesday they have more physical contact session and I guess he’d have to either get through that or be ruled out on that day.”

Luai seemed alright at training on Sunday. Picture: Jake Hunter

So Panthers fans, maybe don’t start popping the champagne just yet.

For the other teams, the Storm’s Jahrome Hughes has been named to replace Tyran Wishart after his calf injury, while Xavier Coates has not been named as Reimis Smith retains his place in the side.

In the other game, it appears the Broncos are at full strength, even Ezra Mam who suffered a knee injury a fortnight ago against the Storm.

“My knee is all good,” Mam said.

“The week off (in the final round) definitely helped it and having another week off (last week), it will be fresh and ready to go.”

The Warriors will also be unchanged with Shaun Johnson set to play despite his calf concern, while Marata Niukore and Josh Curran have also been named despite injuries last week.

Friday, 7.50pm @ Accor Stadium: Panthers Vs Storm

Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Luke Garner 18. Tyrone Peachey 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. Zac Hosking 21. Luke Sommerton 22. Thomas Jenkins

Storm: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Reimis Smith 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Tyran Wishart 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Tariq Sims 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Sualauvi Faalogo 21. Tepai Moeroa 22. Chris Lewis

Saturday, 7.50pm @ Suncorp Stadium: Broncos v Warriors

Broncos: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Jesse Arthars 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Tyson Smoothy 15. Brendan Piakura 16. Kobe Hetherington 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Corey Oates 19. Martin Taupau 20. Corey Jensen 21. Jock Madden 22. Tristan Sailor

Warriors: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Edward Kosi