Wests Tigers Suffer Blow as Jarome Luai Ruled Out Ahead of Dragons Clash

The Wests Tigers face a significant setback in their pursuit of a top-eight finish after star five-eighth Jarome Luai was ruled out of Saturday’s encounter with St George Illawarra. Luai has been sidelined due to delayed concussion symptoms stemming from a head blow sustained during the Tigers’ 12-6 loss to the Newcastle Knights last Sunday, triggering mandatory return-to-play protocols under the New South Wales concussion guidelines for sport.

The loss of Luai comes at a critical juncture for the club. Currently positioned 11th on the NRL ladder, the Tigers remain within striking distance of the finals, sitting just two wins outside the top eight with nine games remaining in the regular season. Luai’s absence creates a significant void in the team’s playmaking capabilities for a match that carries heavy implications for their post-season aspirations, particularly given his experience in managing big-game moments and closing out tight contests.

In response to the injury, Jock Madden has been named at five-eighth, shifting greater organisational responsibility onto his combination with halfback Adam Doueihi. The squad also sees the return of forward Alex Twal following a recovery from a knee injury, shoring up the Tigers’ middle rotation and defensive workload. Additionally, teenager Heamasi Makasini has been selected to start in the centres, replacing Taylan May, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury, in a move that underlines the club’s willingness to fast-track emerging talent during a congested period of the season.

The upcoming round is further complicated by the State of Origin period. For the third and final time this season, representative players will be unavailable for club duties ahead of next Wednesday night’s deciding match at Suncorp Stadium, placing added pressure on depth charts, coaching staff and club medical teams already managing increased player welfare and workload considerations.

Weekend Match Schedule and Squads

Friday

Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs

CommBank Stadium | 8pm

• Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Thomas Jenkins, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Paul Alamoti, 5. Brian To’o, 6. Blaize Talagi, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Freddy Lussick, 10. Liam Henry, 11. Scott Sorensen, 12. Luke Garner, 13. Lindsay Smith, 14. Billy Scott, 15. Kalani Going, 16. Billy Phillips, 17. Luron Patea, 18. Jack Cole, 19. Sione Fonua, 20. Zakauri Clarke, 21. Jaxen Edgar, 23. Tom Ale.
• Rabbitohs: 1. Jye Gray, 2. Dayne Jennings, 3. Latrell Siegwalt, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Edward Kosi, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Ashton Ward, 8. Tevita Tatola, 9. Brandon Smith, 10. Keaon Koloamatangi, 11. David Fifita, 12. Tallis Duncan, 13. Lachlan Hubner, 14. Jamie Humphreys, 15. Euan Aitken, 16. Liam Le Blanc, 17. John Radel, 18. Matthew Dufty, 19. Jayden Sullivan, 20. Moala Graham-Taufa, 21. Peter Mamouzelos, 22. Thomas Fletcher.

Saturday

St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers

Jubilee Stadium | 5.30pm

• Dragons: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Setu Tu, 3. Mathew Feagai, 4. Valentine Holmes, 5. Tyrell Sloan, 6. Daniel Atkinson, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Toby Couchman, 11. Dylan Egan, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Ryan Couchman, 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Luciano Leilua, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Emre Guler, 18. Jacob Halangahu, 19. Lyhkan King-Togia, 20. Hame Sele, 21. Moses Suli, 22. Christian Tuipulotu.
• Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula, 2. Sunia Turuva, 3. Heamasi Makasini, 4. Starford To’a, 5. Jeral Skelton, 6. Jock Madden, 7. Adam Doueihi, 8. Terrell May, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Tony Sukkar, 12. Sione Fainu, 13. Alex Twal, 14. Josese Lanyon, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Alex Seyfarth, 17. Latu Fainu, 18. Faaletino Tavana, 19. Charlie Murray, 20. Javon Andrews, 21. Heath Mason, 22. Mavrik Geyer.

Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks

Suncorp Stadium | 7.35pm

• Broncos: 1. Hayze Perham, 2. Grant Anderson, 3. Kotoni Staggs, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Deine Mariner, 6. Thomas Duffy, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. Va’a Semu, 9. Cory Paix, 10. Preston Riki, 11. Brendan Piakura, 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Xavier Willison, 14. Blake Mozer, 15. Ben Talty, 16. Jaiyden Hunt, 17. Jesse Arthars, 18. Josh Rogers, 19. Luke Gale, 20. Joshua Coric, 21. Kane Bradley, 22. Tupou Francis.
• Sharks: 1. William Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Jesse Ramien, 4. KL Iro, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Nicho Hynes, 8. Thomas Hazelton, 9. Jayden Berrell, 10. Jesse Colquhoun, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Cameron McInnes, 14. Hohepa Puru, 15. Oregon Kaufusi, 16. Siosifa Talakai, 17. Tuku Hau Tapuha, 18. Mawene Hiroti, 19. Harrison Hassett, 20. Niwhai Puru, 21. Samuel Stonestreet, 22. Liam Ison.

Sunday

Parramatta v Manly Sea Eagles

CommBank Stadium | 2pm

• Eels: 1. Isaiah Iongi, 2. Brian Kelly, 3. Jordan Samrani, 4. Sean Russell, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ronald Volkman, 7. Jonah Pezet, 8. Luca Moretti, 9. Tallyn Da Silva, 10. Jack Williams, 11. Kelma Tuilagi, 12. Kitione Kautoga, 13. Jack de Belin, 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Sam Tuivaiti, 16. Teancum Brown, 17. Harrison Edwards, 18. Joash Papali’i, 19. Charlie Guymer, 20. Apa Twidle, 21. Ryley Smith, 22. Toni Mataele.
• Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Clayton Faulalo, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Joey Walsh, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Jake Simpkin, 10. Kobe Hetherington, 11. Corey Waddell, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic, 14. Josh Feledy, 15. Nathan Brown, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Simione Laiafi, 18. Aaron Schoupp, 19. Zaidas Muagututia, 20. Hugo Hart, 21. Blake Wilson, 22. Fletcher Baker.

Newcastle Knights v Dolphins

McDonald Jones Stadium | 4.05pm

• Knights: 1. Fletcher Sharpe, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Fletcher Hunt, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Sandon Smith, 7. Dylan Brown, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Trey Mooney, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Jermaine McEwen, 13. Mathew Croker, 14. Harrison Graham, 15. Tyson Frizell, 16. Cody Hopwood, 17. Thomas Cant, 18. Lachlan Crouch, 19. Francis Manuleleua, 20. Kyle McCarthy, 21. Tyson Gamble, 22. Elijah Leaumoana.
• Dolphins: 1. Trai Fuller, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Tevita Naufahu, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Felise Kaufusi, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Francis Molo, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Kurt Donoghoe, 15. Tom Gilbert, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Brian Pouniu, 18. Sebastian Su’a, 19. John Fineanganofo, 20. Sam Elliott, 21. LJ Nonu, 22. Zac Garton.