Penrith’s Jarome Luai escapes suspension for push on match official

Penrith star Jarome Luai has learnt his fate after apologising for a forbidden act while celebrating a try in the Panthers’ win on Thursday.

Jarome Luai appears to shove the touch judge.

Jarome Luai is clear to play State of Origin for NSW after being given a fine for shoving a touch judge on Thursday night.

The Penrith playmaker was in the gun after making contact with sideline official Chris Sutton moments after Panthers teammate Sunia Turuva scored in the opening minutes of the clash against Brisbane.

Sutton gave Luai a nasty stare following the incident, with the five-eight seemingly apologising for the unnecessary contact.

What’s the go here? I reckon Jarome Luai thought the ref was a Broncos player, lightly shoved him then realised what he’d done 😬 #NRLpic.twitter.com/cCHHUcqTXw

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) May 18, 2023

After the match, Panthers captain Nathan Cleary confirmed his teammate had apologised.

“Romy (Luai) mentioned it to me straight after the game and he said he didn’t realise it was the touchie … and then apologised straight after,” Cleary said.

The NRL’s match review committee opted against suspension, instead charging Luai with contrary conduct.

That amounted to an $1800 fine, clearing him to face Queensland at the Adelaide Oval on May 31.

The NSW squad will be picked on Monday.