Legends Outraged as ‘Outrageous’ Penalty Against Jarome Luai Proves Expensive

Phil Gould and Andrew Johns have both expressed their outrage over the “absurd” penalty handed to Wests Tigers star Jarome Luai during his team’s narrow 18-14 defeat to Penrith.

This was Luai’s first match against his former club, and midway through the second half at CommBank Stadium, he was penalised for a tackle on Blaize Talagi, the player who has taken his place at the Panthers.

Luai made a bold dash to pressure Talagi as the young halfback prepared to kick, landing a solid hit just as Talagi made contact with the ball.

Despite the timing of the tackle, referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski immediately called a penalty against Luai.

As the No. 7 debated the decision with officials and exchanged some playful banter with his ex-teammates, Gould was visibly upset while reviewing the replays of the incident.

“It was a bit overzealous, but to be honest, I consider it a fair challenge; however, in today’s game, they don’t like you tackling kickers,” he shared on Nine.

“There’s genuinely nothing wrong with that, but in the modern game, they seem to have a problem with it for reasons that elude me. There’s nothing illegal or dangerous about that tackle whatsoever.

“He doesn’t connect with the legs, it’s not late or high.

“What would be even more ludicrous is if that penalty decided the outcome of the match. That would be exceptionally harsh.”

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Johns was even more critical in his analysis of the situation.

“It was simultaneous,” he said.

“You have to wonder why playmakers are still going at 36 or 37. I have always advocated for the protection of playmakers, but this decision is just ridiculous.

“You can’t simply allow them to kick without any pressure.”

The moment proved pivotal for the Tigers, as the opposition capitalised on the penalty goal awarded right in front of the posts, taking the lead on the scoreboard.

Shortly after, Luai faced another penalty—this time for an escort—allowing Tom Jenkins to score his third try of the day and extend Penrith’s lead.

Jeral Skelton kept the hope alive for the Tigers with just over ten minutes on the clock, and Jahream Bula looked poised to score and put the visitors ahead.

However, a crucial try-saving tackle from Scott Sorensen halted Bula’s momentum, denying him right at the last second.

Penrith held firm in the dying moments as the Tigers threw everything they had at them, clinching a hard-fought victory.

“It was a brilliant match considering their position on the ladder,” Gould remarked at full-time.

Earlier in the game, Panthers prop Moses Leota was placed on report for a crusher tackle, which may result in him facing a stint on the sidelines.