Panthers have last laugh over Jarome Luai
Penrith have had the last laugh over Jarome Luai, edging Wests Tigers for an 18-14 win in the four-time premiership hero's first game against his old side.
Luai had a mixed reunion with the Panthers, playing a hand in all of the Tigers' three tries but gifting Penrith penalties ahead of two game-defining scores in Sunday's second half at CommBank Stadium.
The Tigers' co-captain almost helped his team to victory in the final 10 minutes when Jack Bird regathered his bomb close to the line and offloaded to Jahream Bula.
But a miraculous cover tackle from Scott Sorensen and Nathan Cleary stopped the fullback inches short of the line and the Panthers held on.
THE TRY SAVER! 🤯#NRLTigersPanthers pic.twitter.com/kQuvGVkgAA— NRL (@NRL) June 8, 2025
Marking the Tigers' other ex-Panther in Sunia Turuva, left winger Tom Jenkins scored his first hat-trick in a win that keeps Penrith's mid-season resurgence humming.
An away clash against the Warriors is set to prove a litmus test in a fortnight, with Penrith only able to lose four more games this season to finish with a 50 per cent winning record.
Three-time reigning wooden spooners the Tigers head into their bye on a four-game losing streak that threatens to undo their improved start to the season.
After the teams were locked at 10-10 at halftime, Cleary kicked for goal to put Penrith ahead after Luai tackled Penrith's new five-eighth Blaize Talagi.
Jenkins completed his hat-trick, crossing just after Luai was cited for collecting Liam Martin on a kick chase.
But Luai had been involved in everything the Tigers did well in a better first half for Benji Marshall's side.
He first put boot to ball from his non-preferred right foot ahead of Starford To'a's try before again swinging to the right side as the Tigers shifted for Turuva to score.
The 28-year-old was at the centre of another memorable moment early in the second half, flooring opposite man and long-term teammate Cleary in a bone-crunching one-on-one tackle.
In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Jeral Skelton gave the Tigers a sniff with 10 minutes to play as Luai and Adam Doueihi found him on the left wing.
But for a second consecutive week, the Panthers rediscovered their gritty best to hit their second bye in form.
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The Advertiser
13 hours ago
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Penrith have last laugh at Luai as Tigers slam referees
Benji Marshall feels some "outrageous" refereeing calls on Jarome Luai cost the Wests Tigers victory in the four-time premiership winner's first game back against Penrith. Luai had a mixed reunion with the club where he became a household name, playing a hand in all of the Tigers' tries but conceding penalties ahead of two game-defining scores in the Panthers' 18-14 win. Nathan Cleary kicked for goal to put Penrith 12-10 ahead after Luai tackled Penrith's new five-eighth Blaize Talagi as he kicked the ball in Sunday's second half at CommBank Stadium. Marking up against another ex-Panther in Sunia Turuva, Tom Jenkins completed his first NRL hat-trick straight after Luai was cited for collecting Liam Martin on a kick chase. Tigers coach Marshall confirmed he would "absolutely" seek clarity on the calls from the NRL. "The game is so hard and demanding and I actually feel sorry for our players because they didn't actually get to decide (the result) tonight," he said. "I thought two calls, the first one on Jarome, on the last making a tackle, I thought was outrageous. "It was the wrong call. I agree with protecting the kickers, but he didn't take (Talagi's) legs out, he didn't put him in a dangerous position. "The second one, he got done for an escort, which I thought was bad too. Then they scored off the back of that set." Luai almost helped his team to victory in the final 10 minutes when Jack Bird regathered his bomb close to the line and offloaded to Jahream Bula. But a miraculous cover tackle from Scott Sorensen and Nathan Cleary stopped the fullback inches short of the line, before Lindsay Smith made a similarly gutsy tackle to deny Bula again. "They're often the difference between winning and losing," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said of the two tackles. "It was a tough game. I was really happy with the way we hung in there at the end, repelled a lot of stuff." The 18-14 win keeps the Panthers' mid-season resurgence humming, with an away clash against the Warriors set to prove a litmus test in a fortnight. After a poor start to the season, Penrith are only able to lose four more games to finish with a 50 per cent winning record. Three-time reigning wooden spooners the Tigers head into their bye on a four-game losing streak, but Marshall found positives in defeat. "I thought it was one of our best performances of the year," the coach said. "I honestly thought we were the better side tonight." Luai was involved in everything the Tigers did well as they controlled field position in the first half. "I felt I was locked in throughout the 80 (minutes). A few touches I'd like to have back and execute a bit better," Luai said. "But that's what I'm loving most (this year), that challenge and the learning and the growth." Luai first put boot to ball from his non-preferred right foot ahead of Starford To'a's try, before again swinging to the right side as the Tigers shifted for Turuva to score. In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Jeral Skelton gave the Tigers a sniff with 10 minutes to play as Luai and Adam Doueihi found him on the left wing. But for a second consecutive week, the Panthers rediscovered their gritty best to hit their second bye in form. Benji Marshall feels some "outrageous" refereeing calls on Jarome Luai cost the Wests Tigers victory in the four-time premiership winner's first game back against Penrith. Luai had a mixed reunion with the club where he became a household name, playing a hand in all of the Tigers' tries but conceding penalties ahead of two game-defining scores in the Panthers' 18-14 win. Nathan Cleary kicked for goal to put Penrith 12-10 ahead after Luai tackled Penrith's new five-eighth Blaize Talagi as he kicked the ball in Sunday's second half at CommBank Stadium. Marking up against another ex-Panther in Sunia Turuva, Tom Jenkins completed his first NRL hat-trick straight after Luai was cited for collecting Liam Martin on a kick chase. Tigers coach Marshall confirmed he would "absolutely" seek clarity on the calls from the NRL. "The game is so hard and demanding and I actually feel sorry for our players because they didn't actually get to decide (the result) tonight," he said. "I thought two calls, the first one on Jarome, on the last making a tackle, I thought was outrageous. "It was the wrong call. I agree with protecting the kickers, but he didn't take (Talagi's) legs out, he didn't put him in a dangerous position. "The second one, he got done for an escort, which I thought was bad too. Then they scored off the back of that set." Luai almost helped his team to victory in the final 10 minutes when Jack Bird regathered his bomb close to the line and offloaded to Jahream Bula. But a miraculous cover tackle from Scott Sorensen and Nathan Cleary stopped the fullback inches short of the line, before Lindsay Smith made a similarly gutsy tackle to deny Bula again. "They're often the difference between winning and losing," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said of the two tackles. "It was a tough game. I was really happy with the way we hung in there at the end, repelled a lot of stuff." The 18-14 win keeps the Panthers' mid-season resurgence humming, with an away clash against the Warriors set to prove a litmus test in a fortnight. After a poor start to the season, Penrith are only able to lose four more games to finish with a 50 per cent winning record. Three-time reigning wooden spooners the Tigers head into their bye on a four-game losing streak, but Marshall found positives in defeat. "I thought it was one of our best performances of the year," the coach said. "I honestly thought we were the better side tonight." Luai was involved in everything the Tigers did well as they controlled field position in the first half. "I felt I was locked in throughout the 80 (minutes). A few touches I'd like to have back and execute a bit better," Luai said. "But that's what I'm loving most (this year), that challenge and the learning and the growth." Luai first put boot to ball from his non-preferred right foot ahead of Starford To'a's try, before again swinging to the right side as the Tigers shifted for Turuva to score. In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Jeral Skelton gave the Tigers a sniff with 10 minutes to play as Luai and Adam Doueihi found him on the left wing. But for a second consecutive week, the Panthers rediscovered their gritty best to hit their second bye in form. Benji Marshall feels some "outrageous" refereeing calls on Jarome Luai cost the Wests Tigers victory in the four-time premiership winner's first game back against Penrith. Luai had a mixed reunion with the club where he became a household name, playing a hand in all of the Tigers' tries but conceding penalties ahead of two game-defining scores in the Panthers' 18-14 win. Nathan Cleary kicked for goal to put Penrith 12-10 ahead after Luai tackled Penrith's new five-eighth Blaize Talagi as he kicked the ball in Sunday's second half at CommBank Stadium. Marking up against another ex-Panther in Sunia Turuva, Tom Jenkins completed his first NRL hat-trick straight after Luai was cited for collecting Liam Martin on a kick chase. Tigers coach Marshall confirmed he would "absolutely" seek clarity on the calls from the NRL. "The game is so hard and demanding and I actually feel sorry for our players because they didn't actually get to decide (the result) tonight," he said. "I thought two calls, the first one on Jarome, on the last making a tackle, I thought was outrageous. "It was the wrong call. I agree with protecting the kickers, but he didn't take (Talagi's) legs out, he didn't put him in a dangerous position. "The second one, he got done for an escort, which I thought was bad too. Then they scored off the back of that set." Luai almost helped his team to victory in the final 10 minutes when Jack Bird regathered his bomb close to the line and offloaded to Jahream Bula. But a miraculous cover tackle from Scott Sorensen and Nathan Cleary stopped the fullback inches short of the line, before Lindsay Smith made a similarly gutsy tackle to deny Bula again. "They're often the difference between winning and losing," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said of the two tackles. "It was a tough game. I was really happy with the way we hung in there at the end, repelled a lot of stuff." The 18-14 win keeps the Panthers' mid-season resurgence humming, with an away clash against the Warriors set to prove a litmus test in a fortnight. After a poor start to the season, Penrith are only able to lose four more games to finish with a 50 per cent winning record. Three-time reigning wooden spooners the Tigers head into their bye on a four-game losing streak, but Marshall found positives in defeat. "I thought it was one of our best performances of the year," the coach said. "I honestly thought we were the better side tonight." Luai was involved in everything the Tigers did well as they controlled field position in the first half. "I felt I was locked in throughout the 80 (minutes). A few touches I'd like to have back and execute a bit better," Luai said. "But that's what I'm loving most (this year), that challenge and the learning and the growth." Luai first put boot to ball from his non-preferred right foot ahead of Starford To'a's try, before again swinging to the right side as the Tigers shifted for Turuva to score. In his first game back from a hamstring injury, Jeral Skelton gave the Tigers a sniff with 10 minutes to play as Luai and Adam Doueihi found him on the left wing. But for a second consecutive week, the Panthers rediscovered their gritty best to hit their second bye in form.
