The news keeps getting better for the high-flying Wests Tigers, with star playmaker Jarome Luai declaring himself fit to return for Saturday’s clash against premiers Brisbane in what is tracking to be a sellout at Campbelltown.
The Tigers have won their past three games without Luai, who has been recovering from a knee injury, with Jock Madden deputising in halves alongside Adam Doueihi.
Luai and co-captain Api Koroisau were regarded as quick healers at Penrith, and Luai was never going to sit out any longer than necessary after suffering the injury against South Sydney last month.
“I thought I was going to be back next week last week,” Luai said. “But I’m full training and doing contact and everything. Hopefully, there’s still a spot there for me.
“I feel sweet and ready to go, and I can’t wait to get back out there. It’s been like a mini pre-season for myself. I feel fit and strong. Hopefully, we can pick up where we left off.
“Jock Madden stepping up and stepping in, he’s done exactly what the team has needed him to do. He prepares well and comes into every game with a clear mind, clear focus, and nails his role.
“Everyone’s spot is not solidified, that’s the culture [we’re building], that’s what you want at the club. It’s very healthy for the club. And that’s me included.”
Luai said he was well aware of the looming April 30 deadline to trigger a clause in his contract that allows him to lock in another three years at the club or become a free agent.
“It comes then, then I’m locked in here,” Luai told this masthead. “It’s all good, bro. I’m happy with where I am, happy with the team, and we’re building towards better things.”
It remains to be seen whether Madden will retain a spot on the bench with Luai back in the starting line-up. Latu Fainu is the club’s preferred No. 14, and there is no reason Marshall can not carry both players on the extended bench.
Marshall confirmed Luai had asked him again on the weekend if he could have played against the Knights.
“I think he’ll be right [for the Broncos], he’ll have a fitness test later in the week,” Marshall said.
As for what happens with Madden, Marshall smiled and said: “You can find out on Tuesday.”
Such is the mounting excitement in Tiger Town that club officials are banking on a sellout against the injury-ravaged Broncos on Saturday night. The last time Campbelltown sold out was the “Spoon Bowl” clash against Parramatta at the end of 2024.
Centre Taylan May remains a chance to return from a shoulder injury he suffered in the club’s opening win over the Cowboys in round two.
One of the happiest players in the sheds after the 42-22 win over the Knights was Patrick Herbert, the 29-year-old centre who had waited 1330 days to play another game of NRL.
Marshall saw Herbert playing in a Maori tournament late last year and picked up the phone to his old St George Illawarra teammate. The pair also grew up in the same New Zealand town of Whakatāne, which has been in the path of Cyclone Vaianu in recent days.
“I was watching this team, I had no idea who they were, and I thought, ‘Is that Patrick Herbert?’,” Marshall said. “He was man of the match, so I text him and asked, ‘What are you up to?’. He said, ‘Nothing’, so I said, ‘Why don’t you come on a train and trial?’.
“He trained really well in the pre-season, impressed all the boys with his work rate and ethic, and we rewarded him with a contract.”
Herbert was due to head to the Super League in 2023, only to be struck down by knee and Achilles injuries. He began working as an electrician, and thought his NRL days were over. He was on an excavator in Wollongong when he took the call from Marshall.
Herbert said he “shed a tear of happiness” after full-time when greeted by his three young sons, True, 6, Kauda, 5, and four-year-old Charnze, on the field. Charnze had never seen his father play league.
“I was losing faith [I would play in the NRL again],” Herbert said. “I backed my ability, but I didn’t have that person in my corner until Benji called me.
“The four years I had out of the game, it made me more grateful just to be around it again. If I don’t get picked [again], it’s no big deal. Patience is a virtue, which I learned during my time off. I’ll take each day as it comes.”
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