Reason behind Penrith Panthers throwback jersey for NRL finals revealed

The Penrith Panthers have booked their place in yet another preliminary final but it was their choice of jersey on Friday night that raised a fair few eyebrows.

As the Panthers stormed to a 24-0 lead to crush the Sydney Roosters in their final match at Bluebet Stadium before it is demolished, fans noticed that the players were wearing the same strip debuted in round three in heritage round.

The Pasifika jersey, which former players Frank Puletua and Joe Galuvao helped design, was launched earlier this year as the club’s round three multicultural round jersey.

And the club has elected to use it during the finals to honour departing stars Jarome Luai and James Fisher-Harris who are headed for Wests and the New Zealand Warriors respectively.

‘It means a lot,’ Luai said.

‘By Ivan (Cleary) doing that, it does add to the emotion of it all. Culture means a lot to me and Fish.

‘It’s a pretty special addition and really thoughtful from coach. By him doing that, he is showing how much his players mean to him and we are so grateful.’