Jarome Luai of The Blues during the 2021 State of Origin match between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on June 9, 2021 in Townsville score on Daly Cherry- Evans of the Maroons. , Australia.
Wests Tigers are reportedly mulling a move for three-time Penrith Panthers winner Jarome Luai in one of the game’s best five-eighths.
New South Wales and Samoa international Luai, who has three Panthers premiership rings, is out of contract at the end of 2024 and is expected to be one of the hottest signings on the free agent market.
All players without a contract at the end of 2024 will be able to negotiate with their rivals from November 1.
The reports come after Panthers coach Ivan Cleary issued a warning to rival clubs on Wednesday suggesting Jarome Luai has yet to prove he can play at NRL level. “I think that’s the biggest thing here. If the club wants to (pay) the money we’re talking about, he can consider leaving, but that should be the role,” said Cleary.
“It’s also, is he ready? That and a question mark. Could he do it? I’m sure he could handle it. Has he done it (yet)? No, he hasn’t. He did it with Samoa last year and at the World Cup. Overall, he had a role in this team and it’s a little bit different. “I think that’s a risk everyone has to take.”
With the Panthers under massive salary cap pressure, Luai could leave the club for a bigger payday. One club said to be interested in his services is Wests Tigers, according to News Corp.
This was followed by comments from News Corp reporter Michael Carayannis on The Daily Telegraph podcast. Carayannis revealed that Luai idolized Tigers head coach Benji Marshall as a youngster and the club could capitalize on that connection.
“The Tigers are interested,” Carayannis said. “There are some interesting quotes from Jarome where he idolized Benji Marshall. Benji was a star player that he really liked.”
Reporter Brent Read followed Carayannis, noting that they became close after playing for the Maori All-Stars a few years ago.
“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.”
The Canterbury Bulldogs are understood to be chasing Jarome Luai in 2025. He joins former Panthers assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo and former teammates Stephen Crichton, Jaeman Salmon, Villiame Kikauy and Matt Burton.