NRL 2024: Jack Cole in line to take Jarome Luai’s spot for World Club Challenge

A Panthers young gun is threatening to upstage more experienced teammates and secure Jarome Luai’s No.6 jersey for the World Club Challenge.

Mavrik Geyer is looking to replace the hole left by Sydney Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu. Credit: NRL Images.

Unheralded half Jack Cole is threatening to upstage some of his more experienced teammates and secure Jarome Luai’s coveted No.6 jersey as Penrith prepare to board a plane for England to play the World Club Challenge against Wigan.

The 20-year-old Cole, who played his lone NRL game against North Queensland in the final round of the 2022 season, has been a star in the Panthers’ NSW Cup side but has had to bide his time behind Luai when it comes to cracking the NRL.

His opportunity may now arrive on the other side of the globe as the Panthers prepare for Luai’s injury-enforced absence in England.

Brad Schneider and Daine Laurie are also believed to be under consideration to partner Nathan Cleary against Wigan but this masthead understands that Cole may usurp both after playing a prominent role at training in the preseason.

Cole, who hails from Orange, had his contract upgraded and extended at the beginning of last year but his path to first grade has been blocked by Luai.

Panthers rising star Jack Cole. Picture: Penrith Panthers

However, the NSW and Samoan star will miss the game against Wigan as he recovers from shoulder surgery, leaving coach Ivan Cleary with a decision to make as he weighs up who to play alongside his son Nathan against the English champions.

The easy option for Cleary would be to turn to the experienced Laurie or Schneider, the latter having already tasted success against Wigan has part of the Hull KR side last season when he kicked a field goal to sink the Super League champions.

Cole, however, has shown his pedigree in the lower grades and his time may now be at hand as the Panthers atone for last year’s World Club Challenge defeat against St Helens.

Cleary’s decision may also provide a glimpse into the future as the Panthers brace for Luai to depart at the end of the season to join the Wests Tigers.

Whoever wears the No.6 jersey will secure an early advantage in the race to replace Luai. Luai has been tipped to return for round one against Melbourne at AAMI Park, meaning his replacement’s time in the No.6 jersey may be short lived.

Jarome Luai could be a surprise round 1 starter.

GEYER WANTS IN ON PROP ROTATION

- Matt Encarnacion

It was hard enough to be the son of a club legend, now Mavrik Geyer has the added challenge of trying to replace his old man’s favourite player.

For the third year in a row, Penrith will have to fill some sizeable premiership-winning holes if they are to claim a remarkable fourth straight title.

And while grand final hero Stephen Crichton’s move to Canterbury may be the biggest loss, the departure of Spencer Leniu to the Sydney Roosters also presents a sizeable task.

Especially when he is the favourite of Panthers icon Mark Geyer.

“My dad loved Spence. He’s a bit more red-headed than blue, but his aggression only did wonders for the boys,” Mavrik told this masthead.

“He’s such a good player and he’ll be dearly missed.

“He was my dad’s favourite player, to be honest.”

Mavrik Geyer is looking to replace the hole left by Sydney Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu. Credit: NRL Images.

It’s a title that may now be in reach of, with the 22-year-old competing with fellow juniors Liam Henry and Ativalu Lisati, and veteran Matt Eisenhuth for the vacant bench spot.

Leniu’s dynamic power bursts off the bench had been a key element of the Panthers’ three-year reign – but so too was his trademark aggression.

His red-blooded on-field stoush with new Roosters teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves last year was one of the highlights of the season.

It also evoked memories of his dad’s fiery State of Origin face-off with Wally Lewis that defined his career in the early 90s.

Mavrik doesn’t deny that it’s in his DNA.

Spencer Leniu scuffles with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves during the round 15 2023 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers. Picture: Getty Images

“I try and be like that a bit. But at the end of the day, (dad) got away with a lot more things than they would these days,” he said.

“So I’ve got to be a bit more smarter than him.

“But yeah, a bit of aggression and animosity towards defenders never goes astray.”

Mavrik’s push could begin as soon as the World Club Challenge later this month, where coach Ivan Cleary will name his first side since last year’s famous grand final triumph.

Mavrik, who has been with the club since he was a teenager, has had to be patient for his shot while watching many of his teammates progress to first grade during their threepeat.

But with two years left on his contract, he’s willing to wait for as long as it takes.

The iconic picture of Mark Geyer confronting Queensland's Wally Lewis during a State of Origin match. Picture: Geoff McLachlan

“I don’t think it’s too hard to be patient because of how much I love footy,” he said.

“Three comps in a row, I came into the scene after they won their first. You do get a lot of motivation from them and just seeing how successful they are.

“But in terms of patience man, I’m just, I’m loving the grind at the moment.”

A natural second-rower like his dad, Mavrik is also open to playing in the middle.

“I’d play wing if (Ivan) put me there,” he said.

“I do enjoy back row because you do play more minutes usually. Usually the front-rowers are the bigger boys who start the game, like Fish (James Fisher-Harris) and Mos (Moses Leota).

“Lindsay (Smith) off the bench with that speed and agility around the ruck when the boys are tired. I do probably prefer back row, but to be honest man, I love it all. I’d play anywhere.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Jack Cole in line to take Jarome Luai’s spot for World Club Challenge