Wests Tigers Coach Mick Potter has named his team to play Parramatta Eels at Parramatta Stadium this Friday night.
Joel Luani will make his NRL/Club debut after being named at hooker to replace the injured Robbie Farah (hand). He will become the 166th player to play NRL for Wests Tigers.
Luani was a member of the premiership winning Wests Tigers Toyota Cup team under Coach Todd Payten last season.
Joel has done enough to be the number one contender for the hooking role seeing as Robbie is out, Potter said.
He has been playing a lot of minutes in NSW Cup and doing a good job for the team. Joel deserves a chance with Masada Iosefa out, he is the only hooker I think that can really tip over the big forwards as well as get out of dummy-half with good speed. He will be a good asset for us this week.
Joel Luani details
Pronunciation: Lew-arnie
Born: 16/2/1992, Sydney
Junior Club: Five Dock
Position: Hooker
Height: 180cm
Weight: 92kg
Rep Honours: Australian Schoolboys rugby (2010)
Previous Clubs: Nil
Joel Luani will make his NRL/Club debut after being named at hooker to replace the injured Robbie Farah (hand). He will become the 166th player to play NRL for Wests Tigers.
Luani was a member of the premiership winning Wests Tigers Toyota Cup team under Coach Todd Payten last season.
Joel has done enough to be the number one contender for the hooking role seeing as Robbie is out, Potter said.
He has been playing a lot of minutes in NSW Cup and doing a good job for the team. Joel deserves a chance with Masada Iosefa out, he is the only hooker I think that can really tip over the big forwards as well as get out of dummy-half with good speed. He will be a good asset for us this week.
Joel Luani details
Pronunciation: Lew-arnie
Born: 16/2/1992, Sydney
Junior Club: Five Dock
Position: Hooker
Height: 180cm
Weight: 92kg
Rep Honours: Australian Schoolboys rugby (2010)
Previous Clubs: Nil
