Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai cleared of leg injury after being sent for emergency scans

Marquee Wests Tigers signing and co-captain Jarome Luai has sent an injury scare through the Wests Tigers camp, with the star playmaker cleared of serious injury after being sent for emergency scans.

Benji Marshall has avoided a major pre-season setback after new Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai was cleared of a serious leg injury just 19 days before the coach was set to unleash his new look halves combination.

Prized recruit Luai, who long suffering Tigers fans are banking on dragging the side off the bottom of the ladder, sent an injury scare through Concord after the four-time premiership winner was sent for emergency scans over the weekend.

It’s understood Luai suffered the injury late last week but medical staff are confident the 28-year old will be available in round one against Newcastle.

To ensure Luai will be ready to take the field, coaching staff have put the new halfback on ice this week, giving him time off training in a bid to ensure the halfback will be available for the Tigers’ first pre-season challenge clash against Canterbury on February 16 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

The Wests Tigers can breathe a sigh of relief after star recruit Jarome Luai was cleared of a lower leg injury. Picture: Tigers Instagram

The Tigers had travelled north of the border last week for a gruelling three-day army camp run by former policy and army personnel, where players were pushed to their physical and mental limits.

Luai, who had an extended summer break after leading Samoa in a tour of England, has been busy honing his halves combination with talented youngster Lachlan Galvin since arriving at Concord in late December.

Given Marshall’s desperation to turn around the Tigers’ on-field fortunes after three straight wooden spoons, Luai and Galvin can ill afford to lose any time building their new-look pairing ahead of the side’s season opener against the Knights on March 7.

Luai’s role as a leader, and key cog in the spine, is now even more crucial ahead of round one given co-captain and premiership winning hooker Api Koroisau unavailable to take on the Knights through suspension.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has avoided a major pre-season setback Picture: Rohan Kelly

Tigers fans are set to get the first glimpse of Marshall’s new-look halves combination in the club’s first trial match against the Bulldogs.

If Luai is ultimately rested in the first week of the pre-season challenge, Marshall has a number of options to step into the halves alongside Galvin including rookie Latu Fainu and experienced campaigner Adam Doueihi.

Doueihi, who is unsigned beyond 2025, missed the end of last season with ‘knee swelling’ but is poised to make a round one comeback after getting through the pre-season unscathed.

With Luai, Galvin and now Fainu ahead of 26-year old in the halves pecking order, Doueihi is gunning for a start at centre alongside Justin Olam in 2025.

Doueihi, along with Fainu and rising hooker Tallyn Da Silva are also options in the number 14 jumper for coach Marshall.