Panthers star Jarome Luai has been linked AGAIN to the struggling Wests Tigers, with the five-eighth’s friendship with Api Koroisau expected to be the deciding factor.
Jarome Luai’s NRL future after 2024 is unknown.
If he departs the Panthers, he will seek a salary of $1 million or more per season.
The Tigers and Bulldogs are thought to be interested in securing Luai on a long-term basis.
Off-contract Panthers star Jarome Luai has again been linked to the embattled Wests Tigers – and his friendship with skipper Api Koroisau could prove to be decisive.
Luai, 26, has been free to negotiate with rival NRL clubs since November 1, with his contract at Penrith ending in 2024.
The premiers have told the five-eighth they can only pay him roughly $850,000 a season to stay due to salary cap restraints, which is considerably less than he will command elsewhere.
A popular school of thought is that the polarising pivot may seek a new challenge after winning three successive titles – so jumping ship to play under Benji Marshall is said to be appealing.
And as long as he stays at the foot of the Blue Mountains in NSW, Luai will always play second fiddle to halfback Nathan Cleary.
The NSW Origin representative is great friends with Koroisau, with whom he won two NRL tournaments in 2021 and 2022, and it’s safe to say the clever hooker would have been in Luai’s ear pleading for an on-field reunion.
Luai also grew up idolizing Marshall, so if he finds up at Concord, his instinctual style of play could help him prosper.
All players that come into the market, you’ve got to have a look at, especially if they are marquee players [like Luai],’ Marshall said recently, as rumours continue to swirl in the off-season.
Luai may also consider a move to the Bulldogs, where he could be reunited with plenty of familiar faces, notably coach Cameron Ciraldo, close friend Stephen Crichton plus former teammates Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton.
