iconImportant SN update for Southland

Tigers expect Luai to overcome infection for Origin

Scott Bailey, AAP  •  June 28th, 2025 7:02 am
Tigers expect Luai to overcome infection for Origin

Photo: NRL Photos

Jarome Luai is likely to be available for the State of Origin decider, with Wests Tigers expecting the NSW star to be out of hospital and fit again within days.
Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game.
The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised upon coming down with fevers.
But the Tigers believe that had the game been later in the weekend, Luai would have been able to play and he should be fine to play for the Blues in the July 9 decider.
"We'll know a bit more in the next 24 hours. I think he'll be out of hospital today or tomorrow," Marshall said on Friday night
"I am pretty sure he will be okay for NSW if they pick him.
"He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be alright to play.
"And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse.
"If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today."
Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall

Tigers head coach Benji Marshall watches on as his side lose their sixth successive match | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

The Tigers' loss marked their sixth in a row, with coach Benji Marshall conceding his team had taken a step backwards after several close defeats.
But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial.
Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side.
NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, but No.7 Nathan Cleary is also entering the decider with questions around his groin.
Winger Brian To'o also has a heavy cloud over his fitness, after hurting his knee in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night.
To'o is expected to have scans on his left knee on Saturday, after leaving CommBank Stadium with ice on it on Thursday night.
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