Latest news with #ex-Panther
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
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.
7NEWS
9 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall explodes at ‘outrageous' NRL referees
Benji Marshall feels some 'outrageous' refereeing calls on Jarome Luai cost the Wests Tigers victory in the four-time NRL 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. 'I honestly thought we were the better side tonight,' he said. '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. '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.' Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was asked about Marshall's comments in his post-match presser. 'Was he (Benji) unhappy about that? Really… I would have liked 78 more penalties., and we only got one,' Cleary said. 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.
West Australian
14 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
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. 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.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
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 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.
USA Today
15-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys News Headlines: Will new signings mean wins? Jourdan Lewis speaks out on leaving
Cowboys News Headlines: Will new signings mean wins? Jourdan Lewis speaks out on leaving Another day of free agency, and the Cowboys continue to make moves. Friday came to a close with the club doing their biggest bit of free-agency business in a decade, bringing back a defensive difference-maker who had defected to a rival for one year. They'll also keep a versatile youngster whose star is on the rise, and they'll add a ballcarrier who they've had to face often in recent years. But how many of these mostly inexpensive signings will actually improve the team or translate to more wins in the fall? That's a question several are asking, with one new hire being included among the league's worst so far this offseason. We sift through the bargains to find that one of free agency's top prizes has already landed elsewhere, and a couple of ex-Cowboys have wasted no time getting vocal (and a little nasty) about why they left America's Team. The dramatic turnover in the Dallas locker room has one outlet wondering about a leadership problem... and we hop an imaginary flight with the greatest (or at least some of the most interesting) Cowboys legends as our long-distance seatmates. Micah Parsons forces Jerry Jones and the Cowboys into another quiet offseason, and it's hard to see how that helps them catch Eagles :: Yahoo Sports Link Dallas could have had Micah Parsons locked up on a new contract by now. But Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett moved the market needle, and now it will cost the Cowboys more. The result? Another offseason of bargain shopping and hoping some of the recycling jobs turn into diamonds. Most of the additions are cost-effective but likely won't make a huge impact. It's hard to see how these moves are getting them closer to overtaking the Eagles, or even the Commanders, in the NFC East. Start the Steal: Cowboys reunite with $68 million edge who had 10 sacks for DC in 2024 :: Cowboys Wire Link The Cowboys will make their most expensive free-agency add in a decade by bringing Dante Fowler Jr. back from the Commanders. Fowler played for two years in Dallas before following Dan Quinn to Washington. He logged 10.5 sacks last season but now comes back to the The Star and will compete in a pass-rusher rotation that includes Micah Parsons, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, and newly-signed Payton Turner. Free Agency: Cowboys add former Panthers 2nd-round RB in unofficial swap :: Cowboys Wire Link Carolina signed Rico Dowdle earlier in the week; now Dallas has added ex-Panther Miles Sanders to its 2025 backfield. Sanders is coming off a season in which he logged career lows in rushing attempts and yards; his best year came in 2022 with Philadelphia. He is expected to sign a one-year deal. 2025 NFL Free Agency: Ranking 9 worst early moves :: The 33rd Team Link The Cowboys arguably got worse at the position when they signed Javonte Williams... and they overspent to do it. They misread the market badly; they could have had Rico Dowdle for just $2.5 million instead of snatching Williams on Day 1 for $3.5 million. And they likely could have waited until after the draft to sign him for far less. Cowboys have brought in 9 new players during free agency, but how many starters? :: Cowboys Wire Link Sure, the team has been busy in free agency, but have they added quality players? A conservative scouring of the roster shows seven starting spots up for grabs. Fowler probably nabs one; Kaiir Elam and Jack Sanborn may be temporary understudies at best. They've brought in plenty of depth, but they haven't truly addressed all that many holes. Cowboys are trying their hand at recreating Eagles' success in one specific way :: Cowboys Wire Link The ultimate goal in free agency is to grab a good player on the cheap and hope he breaks out into a superstar. Look at what the Eagles got out of linebacker Zack Baun last year. That helps explain the Cowboys' penchant for inking former first-round picks who haven't lived up to expectations. Is Payton Turner, Kaiir Elam, or Kenneth Murray the next All-Pro bargain? EXPLAINED: Cowboys Parsons, Lawrence Twitter exchange stems from long-standing feud :: Cowboys Wire Link The social media spat that blew up Thursday night between Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence had apparently been simmering for a while. Lawrence's "tired" comments after the Green Bay playoff loss are said to have been a veiled shot at Parsons's lack of preparation, and their rift may have even been a factor in Brian Schottenheimer getting the head coaching job. Leadership could be issue for Cowboys without DeMarcus Lawrence and Zack Martin :: Blogging the Boys Link In the span of one week, 22 combined years of NFL experience walked out the door in Dallas with Martin and Lawrence. Someone new will need to step up. Some of that will hopefully come from Brian Schottenheimer and his new coaching staff. Offensively they still have Dak Prescott; is Micah Parsons ready to legitimately embrace a leadership role on defense? Jourdan Lewis gets real on leaving Cowboys, saying no to team-friendly deals :: Demetrius Harvey Cooper Kupp agrees to terms with Seattle Seahawks on 3-year, $45 million deal, per report :: Dallas Morning News Link Despite a whirlwind of whispers and connections linking him to the WR2 role in Dallas, Cooper Kupp is headed to Seattle. The Seahawks reportedly ponied up a three-year, $45 million deal to add the Washington favorite to the new Sam Darnold-led offense. Free Agency: Cowboys bringing back versatile DB, key special teams player on 1-year deal :: Cowboys Wire Link Despite seeing just 200 defensive snaps last year, Israel Mukuamu was tied for the team lead in interceptions. He was also a special teams mainstay, playing the second-most snaps of that unit. He'll return on a one-year deal in which he can provide valuable depth and ascending play at both cornerback and safety. Updated Free Agency Tracker: Cowboys' additions, losses, rumors and comp pick ledger :: Cowboys Wire Link Bookmark the link for one-click access to an always-updated list of who the Cowboys have signed, who's left the building, and who is in the rumor mill... as well as all the dollars and cents of every deal. Playing for Cowboys is 'a dream come true' for Solomon Thomas :: The Mothership Link Eleven years after graduating from Coppell High, Thomas is coming back and suiting up for the hometown Cowboys. "Getting to play in my hometown in front of my people I love, my family, friends, and close ones, I feel at home," the ex-Jet said. "I can't wait to put on that star and win games here and win a championship here." He's already collaborated in the past with Dak Prescott on youth suicide prevention outreach; now the two will be teammates, too. You have a 15-hour flight on the Cowboys Legends charter plane, where are you sitting? :: Cowboys Wire Link Waste some time with the Cowboys version of the new social media trend: decide where to sit if you were flying halfway around the world on a plane filled with Cowboys legends. Forget aisle or window; the choice becomes something else when it's either between Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin or next to Dak Prescott and Roger Staubach.
