Jarome Luai confirms move to Wests Tigers for the 2025 NRL season.
Jarome Luai’s decision to transfer from NRL heavyweights Penrith to long-time strugglers Wests Tigers in 2025 was motivated by the opportunity to finally be given “the keys to the team”.
The biggest trade drama of the NRL off-season came to an end on Wednesday, with Penrith’s triple premiership-winning five-eighth revealing his future plans.
Luai had been associated with the Tigers and Canterbury for months after it became clear that the high-flying Panthers would be unable to match their seven-figure offer.
Confirming his transfer to the back-to-back wooden spooners on a five-year contract, Luai stressed the call was not solely about money.
“People think it would just be [money]; but it was getting the keys to the team, that was the other motivation,” he went on to say.
Luai has no experience as a week-in, week-out organising half in the NRL, as Penrith coach Ivan Cleary pointed out during the Panthers’ battle to keep him.
However, Nathan Cleary’s long-term lieutenant stated that he had grown hungry for additional responsibility after serving as game manager during Samoa’s run to the 2022 World Cup final.
“Ever since then, I’ve longed for that,” he told me. “Being my own guy, crafting my own story, was another significant aspect of [the move]. “I can’t wait!”
Luai’s signing is a significant coup for the Tigers, who have struggled to attract elite talent during a 12-year playoff drought.
Luai had also pondered joining the Bulldogs, whose Penrith alumni include coach Cameron Ciraldo and players Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau, and Matt Burton.
“This explains why the procedure has taken so long… “That was a difficult decision,” he explained.
“I’ve got a lot brothers there already, and Cam Ciraldo is like my second dad.”
The Tigers coach, Benji Marshall, was Luai’s childhood hero and an equally flamboyant five-eighth in his playing days.
“I’ve had a great connection with Benji,” Luai remarked. “I’ve seen a couple headlines that [I] will read from top to bottom, sort of thing.
“It spoke to me because I always believe I can win, no matter where I go. I’m quite enthused about it and the task.”
Under the NRL’s new transfer rules, Luai was required to offer the Panthers a 10-day window to persuade him to stay put.
Penrith renounced that right, but he will return to training on Thursday after taking a week off before Christmas due to the contract controversy.
Luai’s halves partner for 2025 is still to be chosen, with veteran Aidan Sezer and new guns Jayden Sullivan.
“[Luai’s] experience as a genuine premiership-winning playmaker will be great for us and the future of our club,” Marshall said in a statement.
“We adore the way Jarome plays football, and he’s also a fantastic person. We look forward to welcoming Jarome and his family to our team in 2025, but for the time being, we are focused on the 2024 season.
