Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has confirmed one-game rookie Jack Cole will take Jarome Luai’s No.6 jersey in their World Club Challenge clash against Wigan Warriors.
Luai, who signed a contract to join the Tigers in 2025 in the off-season, has been battling a shoulder injury that required surgery in October.
Cole, 20, is seen as the heir to Luai’s throne at five-eighth and will get his first chance to showcase his playmaking abilities in front of a sold-out crowd at DW Stadium.
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“Jack Cole is going to play, he’s a young player who has played one NRL game a couple of years ago late in the year,” coach Ivan Cleary said on Wednesday.
“He’s shown plenty of promise and has had a great pre-season. He gets his opportunity on just about the biggest stage.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes, I’m sure he’ll do well.”
Cole won the spot over off-season recruits Brad Schneider and Daine Laurie, who both have the ability to play at five-eighth.
The young gun has only one NRL game under his belt, having made his debut at the end of the 2022 season, but halves partner Nathan Cleary was excited by his talent.
“His willingness to learn [is impressive]. He’s come in this pre-season and he’s been flying. I’m looking forward to the prospect he is,” Cleary said to the SMH.
“We don’t want to rush him too much. There’s a lot of good signs there.
“I know it’s a cliche, but he’s just a footy player. He knows the game. He’s fast and strong. He’s only going to get better.”
Meanwhile, it’s emerged experienced backrower Scott Sorensen is battling a leg injury, while rising star Liam Henry is also struggling due to illness.
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However, both players are expected to take the field, but Wigan’s Luke Thompson is set to sit out after suffering a head knock 20 minutes into the Super League season.
Thompson, who made the move from the Bulldogs in the off-season, failed his head injury assessment and is facing a mandatory stand-down period.
“I thought the way he started the game, Luke, and the way he’d been in pre-season, he was looking excellent,” Wigan coach Matty Peet said.
“It’s a blow but his health has to come first. He’s taken a whack on the head and I think the sport and other sports are getting used to these sorts of things and it’s the right thing for the players.”
WHERE TO WATCH THE WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE
The World Club Challenge will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo.
WHAT TIME IS THE GAME ON?
The clash between Wigan and Penrith will kick-off at 8:00pm local time on Saturday February 14, meaning the game will be aired at 7:00am AEST on Sunday February 25 in Australia.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WIGAN AND PENRITH FEATURED IN THE WCC?
Wigan have been in the World Club Challenge eight times and won the title in 1987, 1991, 1994 and 2017.
The Panthers have never won a World Club Challenge and have previously lost to Wigan in 1991.
They also went down to the Bradford Bulls in 2004 and St Helens in 2023.
WHERE WILL THE GAME BE PLAYED?
The game will be played in front of a sold-out DW Stadium crowd in Wigan.
THE ODDS
Panthers: $1.45
Wigan $2.70
TEAMS
To come.
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