Panthers star Jarome Luai could potentially miss the State of Origin opener through suspension after a bizarre incident involving a touchline referee.
The incident occurred in the first half of the Panthers’ 15-4 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium immediately after the team’s opening try scored by Sunia Turuva.
As the Panthers players set upon Turuva to celebrate, Luai appeared to push the referee in the back with his right hand as he came in to celebrate, before realising his mistake and tapping the referee with his left hand to seemingly apologise afterwards.
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The official did not take kindly to the Panthers five-eighth’s act, shooting him a baffled look in return before Luai was pulled away by teammate Tyrone Peachey.
With Penrith having a bye next week, a one-match suspension would mean Luai is unable to play the State of Origin opener if he is selected in the NSW Blues team by coach Brad Fittler.
Luai’s act caused Broncos icon Sam Thaiday to recall a similar incident that took place during his storied career, one that resulted in a ban.
“I got suspended for that,” Thaiday said on Nine’s NRL coverage.
“Off a scrum, I grabbed the umpire’s shirt trying to explain that he was holding me in the scrum against the Melbourne Storm here, and I got a week’s suspension for that.
“You’re not allowed to touch a referee.”
Fellow Maroons greats Johnathan Thurston and Paul Vautin were both baffled by the 26-year-old’s act.
“What was he trying to do?” Vautin asked.
“Was he trying to push him out of the way or tap him to talk to him?”
“Watch his right arm there, it’s straight into the back (of the touchline referee) … then the apology,” Thurston added.
Turuva opens scoring for Penrith
“Then he’s trying to get his attention about something. It doesn’t look good from that angle.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the incident, Nine’s sideline reporter Danika Mason said the referees would not lodge a complaint with the NRL against Luai.
Panthers coach Ivan Cleary downplayed the incident after the match, saying, “I don’t think there’s much in there”, while Nathan Cleary confirmed Luai had apologised to the official.
“Romey (Luai) mentioned it to me straight after the game, he said he didn’t realise it was the touchy and then apologised straight after,” the Panthers co-captain said.
Luai is no certainty to retain his No.6 jersey, with Sharks star Nicho Hynes the other contender to line up in the halves alongside Cleary.
The Panthers five-eighth ran for 106 metres and recorded a try assist in the win over the Broncos, and impressed Cleary in the process.
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“Hopefully I get picked as well,” the Panthers star joked.
“I think he’s been really impressive the last few weeks. There’s been a lot of talk about him but he’s blocked it out.
“He’s just done his best job for the team and taken a lot of ownership as well. He’s a big voice on the field and you’ve really heard him the last few weeks.”
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