Tigers offer Luai four-year, $4.5m deal ... and something money can’t buy

Wests Tigers have provided Jarome Luai a four-year, $4.5 million contract, as well a chance to fulfil an ambition that’s impossible at Penrith; the chance to wear the No.7 jersey.

The Tigers have had ongoing talks with Luai and his manager which, according to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to ensure negotiations aren’t affected, crystallised in the form of a formal offer on Thursday.

The disparity between what Penrith can afford and what the Tigers have offered is significant. Luai has opted to test the market rather than immediately accept a $1.7 million, two-year extension from the Panthers.

If Luai’s primary motivator is money, it makes sense for him to leave the foot of the mountains. However, the Tigers’ pitch for his services goes beyond finances.

As an extra incentive for Luai to shift from the three-peat Panthers to a team that has earned the past two wooden spoons, Luai has been offered the chance to become the Tigers’ chief playmaker.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall recently made a secret pitch to Luai at the Penrith playmaker’s home. During discussions, according to informed sources, Luai expressed a desire to play at halfback. It’s an ambition the NSW playmaker won’t fulfil at the premiers given Nathan Cleary has a mortgage on the No.7 jersey.

Jarome Luai is weighing up his future.

Marshall is happy to provide that opportunity, handing Luai the keys to the team and a chance to emerge from Cleary’s shadow.

In his first season as a head coach, Marshall is keen to make a statement signing and hopes it comes in the form of Luai. The club currently has playmaking options in veteran half Aidan Sezer, newcomers Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu, youngster Lachlan Galvin and the injured Adam Doueihi on their books.

Marshall gave little away when asked about Luai at a press conference last week.

“All players that come onto the market, you’ve got to have a look at, especially if they’re marquee players,” Marshall said. “But we’ve signed halves. We’ve got four halves for the season going into it. We’ll prioritise that at the moment.”

The Tigers are also planning to make a play for Addin Fonua-Blake, who is likely to be granted a release from the Warriors for the 2025 season on compassionate grounds. Given he wants to return to Sydney to be closer to family, the Warriors won’t allow him to join an NRL club outside the harbour city.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has stated Fonua-Blake is on his radar, while Canterbury general manager of football Phil Gould has stated he is a player of interest.

“Addin is a quality player,” Gould said on SEN Afternoons with Jimmy Smith. “I spent a little bit of time with the Warriors during Covid and got to see Addin first-hand, he’s a quality player.

“He’s not cheap, though. I’d imagine there’d be a lot of interest in Addin.”

The Fonua-Blake development comes at a time when there is intrigue over David Klemmer’s future.

Klemmer is contracted until the end of 2025, with a mutual option for the following season. However, the Tigers are prepared to release the former representative prop early if a rival is prepared to offer him a long-term deal. Klemmer’s departure would free up funds, but the Tigers have the salary cap space required to accommodate him and Luai regardless.

There have also been meetings this week with a view to brokering a player swap between Tigers forward Shaun Blore and Melbourne centre Justin OIam. The Storm would need to subsidise part of Olam’s proposed Tigers salary to make the deal palatable and the parties are yet to arrive at a suitable figure.

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