In a surprising move, Penrith Panthers’ young talent Jack Cole has been named to start the 2025 NRL season as five-eighth, stepping into the role vacated by Jarome Luai’s departure to the Wests Tigers. Cole, 21, has previously made 10 NRL appearances, often filling in for either Luai or Nathan Cleary. This selection offers him the opportunity to establish himself as a permanent fixture in the Panthers’ halves alongside Cleary.
Speaking ahead of the season opener in Las Vegas against the Cronulla Sharks, Cole expressed his determination to secure the position long-term. “I’m going to try to stay there,” he stated. “That’s the mindset you’ve gotta have. You can’t just be hoping to play one week and then hoping you’re playing the next week. You’ve gotta want to stay there, so I’m going to try to do that.”
Despite the club’s acquisition of Blaize Talagi from the Parramatta Eels, Cole remained focused on his own performance. He acknowledged the healthy competition, noting that it has been beneficial
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