Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai has been linked with a possible move to the Tigers amid his relationship with coach Benji Marshall amid a three-way battle for his services.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary highlighted his comments that Luai would be a threat to clubs looking to make him their main player, prompting a response on social media at his five-eighth.
Speaking on The Daily Telegraph NRL Podcast, Brent Read believes Cleary made a mistake in making those comments, regardless of his intentions.
Cleary gives a word of caution to Luai | 02:22
The reality is you’re worth what someone is willing to pay you,” Read said on The Daily Telegraph NRL Podcast.
So to say he’s not worth a million dollars, you know what, if he goes on the open market, he’ll get a million dollars, so that’s what he’s worth.
So whether you get value for money is a question.”
My colleague Michael Carayannis revealed that Luai adored Marshall as a youngster, a relationship the Tigers planned to use to bring the three-time major leaguer to Concord.
The Tigers are interested,” Carayannis said.
There are some interesting quotes from Jarome where he worshiped Benji Marshall. “Benji was a star he really liked.
Jarome Luai has been linked with the Tigers. Source: The Daily Telegraph
Read said Luai and Marshall became close after playing together for the Maori All Stars.
They know each other, were roommates and teammates at Maori All Stars two or three years ago,” Read said.
Then Jarome made these quotes. He said he’s loved Benji since he was five when he saw Benji in the 2005 final. “He grew up with a Tiger towel that he used to dry himself with every day. It was a touching story.
“Fuma is Canterbury, isn’t it?” Carayannis said.
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Jarome Luai and Benji Marshall became closer during All Stars camp. Source: Supplied
Given the link between Stephen Crichton and Cameron Ciraldo and their desperate search for a side.
They’re smoky. I think they’re both clubs.”
Read agreed that only two clubs have a realistic chance of luring Luai away from Penrith and the Bulldogs may need him even more than the Tigers.
“I don’t think anyone else has the options for clubs that need halves,” Read said.
Maybe Canberra, but Canberra won’t go with Jarome Luai. He just doesn’t fit in with them.
The dragons are not interested and that’s true.
Canterbury is interesting because obviously Matt Burton was not convincing.
A lot of people think Matt Burton is a world-class center and not necessarily a world-class 6 or 7, so they desperately need a side.”
Benji Marshall was Jarome Luai’s hero growing up. Source: Getty Images
Carayannis believes Burton will start next season with a new look at center for the Bulldogs. “Matt Burton could even start in the middle of the year,” Carayannis said.
“I think it could be Drew Hutchison and Toby Sexton at half-time.
“Blake Taaffe at full-back maybe with Crichton and Burton in the middle and Addo-Carr and Jacob Kirazi on the wings. One to five is pretty strong.”
“No offence, but it’s an incredible pair of halves,” added Read.
“But it’s a strong middle pair.”
Read warned Cleary that his Luai comments could backfire on the Panthers in a big way. “That’s his only option? Because he can’t do that at Penrith because Nathan Cleary is there and Nathan is always the main man at Penrith.”
Carayannis admitted that Luai is the type of character who might want to prove Cleary wrong and hopes he will, based on the constant rugby league theater it creates.
“It can ignite a fire in him,” Carayannis said.
“That’s the kind of person and player he is, if you think I can’t do it, guess what? Maybe I will and I’ll show you I can. “I want him to go because he has confidence in himself and the headlines he’s getting, that he’s using it.
Alamoti joins Panthers on one-year deal | 02:59
“He uses it pretty well. He goes out there and he knows when he goes out there’s going to be expectations and pressure and that’s his thing. He’s not shy about it.
“And then you have the story of Jarome vs. Nathan and Jarome vs. Ivan, and I think that’s exciting.”
Read believes Cleary may have to call Luai to clear the air as he is under contract for at least a year. “They still have 12 months to be together, so they need to smooth the waters a bit,” Read said.
“Obviously they’ve known each other for a long time and it’s not difficult, but I imagine at some point a phone call will be necessary.”
Carayannis noticed that Luai was good at social media and knew what he was doing, posting a photo of himself with the caption, “Know your worth.”