Wigan Warriors have been handed a blow ahead of next month’s World Club Challenge clash against Penrith Panthers after confirmation that Penrith star Jarome Luai will likely be fit for the match.
Luai is one of Penrith’s playmakers in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary and among the best in the NRL at that, as highlighted by the fact that Wests Tigers have signed him on a huge five-year deal for the 2025 season onwards.
The playmaker left the Grand Final with a shoulder injury which allowed former Huddersfield Giants man Jack Cogger to step up and partner Cleary, who himself put on one of the finest final 25 minutes of half-back play you’re ever likely to see to help the Panthers come from behind and win.
Since that win in October Luai has gone under the knife for shoulder surgery and according to his teammates he is expecting to play in next month’s World Club Challenge, the Panthers looking to avenge last year’s loss to St Helens.
Panthers’ full-back Dylan Edwards told the Daily Telegraph: ““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.
“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.”
The 26-year-old Luai has played 107 games for the Panthers after debuting in 2018 and has been a key member in lifting the last three Grand Finals.
His deal with Wests Tigers is expected to pay him $1.2 million per season across the five years, totalling $6 million, whereas Penrith reportedly had offered two years at $850,000 per year.
If Luai does in fact return to face Wigan it will be a huge blow to the hopes of Matt Peet’s side who are aiming to win their fifth World Club Challenge.
Meanwhile Penrith are aiming for their first despite contesting the game three times before in their history, including in 1991 where they lost to Wigan at Anfield.
The game so far looks to be heading to a sell out at the DW Stadium with 22,000 tickets sold already five weeks out from the clash on February 24th.
