Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
I don’t know why there isn’t more love for Olam, I know he’s struggled a bit lately but not long ago he was one of the best centres in the game.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Shame about Tupou - there's definitely a player in there.
Seems there'll be a lot of horse-trading between now and Rd 1. Nice to have confidence, for a change, in the club in getting some good outcomes out of all this.
Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
I don’t know why there isn’t more love for Olam, I know he’s struggled a bit lately but not long ago he was one of the best centres in the game.
The concern is he's just had a precipitous drop off in form and is about to turn 30. Not an appetising combination.
There's a lot of wear and tear on that body, so I would be surprised if he ever hit anything like the heights of a couple of years ago.
Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
I don’t know why there isn’t more love for Olam, I know he’s struggled a bit lately but not long ago he was one of the best centres in the game.
Because he is 30 and there is no way I want a guy who's form dropped off a cliff for 3 years.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Luai skips Panthers training as tensions simmer over Tigers move
By Michael Chammas
December 18, 2023 — 5.49pm
Penrith superstar Jarome Luai was a no-show at training on Monday amid tensions surrounding his decision to quit the Panthers and join the Wests Tigers.
Luai’s representatives told the Panthers the five-eighth would not be at training, 48 hours after he had informed coach Ivan Cleary and his teammates he would be leaving his boyhood club for the Tigers at the end of the 2024 season.
Jarome Luai told his teammates he will be leaving the Panthers at the end of the 2024 season as he prepares to sign a monster deal with the Tigers,
Sources with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity to speak freely said Luai needed time away from the club after this masthead on Saturday broke the story of his forthcoming departure to the Wests Tigers.
Luai has not requested a release, although his no-show could prompt the Tigers to push for his immediate transfer to Concord. That would hinge on Penrith agreeing to release him, Luai being willing to leave and the Tigers finding the salary cap space to match his current $780,000 deal.
Luai was at training on Saturday when the Herald reported he was planning to sign a mammoth five-year, $6 million deal with the Tigers from 2025.
He was forced to address the issue with his teammates and told them of his expected departure at season’s end to link up with Tigers coach Benji Marshall at the back-to-back wooden spooners.
Luai then left Penrith’s training facility more than an hour before his teammates.
The Panthers were scheduled to train until Wednesday this week but Luai decided not to rejoin the group on Monday. It is unclear if he will return to training on Tuesday.
Luai did not respond to calls and the Panthers declined to comment when contacted on Monday.
The Tigers could offer Luai more money than he is currently earning at Penrith if he wants to leave the champions before his contract is due to expire.
Panthers players form a huddle for Jarome Luai at training on Saturday as he informs them of his decision to leave.CREDIT: CHANNEL NINE
The Panthers have already paid Luai for two months’ service since the start of the rugby league calendar year on November 1, which would save the Tigers around $150,000.
Tension between Luai and the Panthers has been simmering in the background since comments from Cleary two months ago when he said rival clubs would be taking a risk if they offered his playmaker more than $1 million a season to be their No.7, given his inexperience in the role.
Following Cleary’s comments, Luai seemingly took a pot shot at his coach on Instagram, posting an image to his story with the tagline “know your worth”.
RELATED ARTICLE
Updated
NRL 2024
Jarome Luai to sign monster five-year deal with Wests Tigers
At the time Penrith had offered Luai a two-year deal worth around $1.7 million, but have since increased that offer to three years for around $2.55 million.
That is nowhere near the offer on the table from the Tigers, who are on the verge of securing Luai’s services for around $1.2 million per season. The club and Luai’s management are now putting the finishing touches on the deal.
Under the new NRL rules, players are required to lodge an intention to sign a new deal with the NRL, which then notifies the incumbent club and gives it 10 days to come up with a counter offer.
The paperwork is yet to be lodged with the NRL, but the Panthers are expected to waive the 10-day period and don’t have the appetite to get into a bidding war with the Tigers. The Bulldogs, who had verbally offered Luai a five-year deal, are still monitoring the situation.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
I don’t know why there isn’t more love for Olam, I know he’s struggled a bit lately but not long ago he was one of the best centres in the game.
Last year he was Dally M centre of the year.
I agree, I'd take him, even just for his leadership
He's professional, smart, and terrifying.
Top 8 2023
Tupou has informed the Tigers he will sign with the Dolphins for 2025 and beyond.
No I still don’t want Olam, he’s cooked.
Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
I don’t know why there isn’t more love for Olam, I know he’s struggled a bit lately but not long ago he was one of the best centres in the game.
Last year he was Dally M centre of the year.
I agree, I'd take him, even just for his leadership
He's professional, smart, and terrifying.
Was terrifying.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
I don’t know why there isn’t more love for Olam, I know he’s struggled a bit lately but not long ago he was one of the best centres in the game.
His defence has always been a little suspect for mine. He seems on the decline and teams have worked him out. His game in pretty 1 dimensional. I hope it works out if he comes across but I’m not confident
Olam will be Leilua 2.0, or worse.Don’t really think Olam adds much at this stage so hope it’s not true. I think Junior has a lot of potential so would rather we held onto him at this stage. A lot of comings and goings
I don’t know why there isn’t more love for Olam, I know he’s struggled a bit lately but not long ago he was one of the best centres in the game.
Last year he was Dally M centre of the year.
I agree, I'd take him, even just for his leadership
He's professional, smart, and terrifying.
Was terrifying.
@garry if Penrith waive the 10 day period for a counter offer does that mean the Tigers contract is lodged and done?
It would mean that Luai is free to sign with the Wests Tigers if he wants to.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
DT reporting Junior Tupou to Dolphins
Id be very upset about that one. I think Tupou has something and will develop into a good player
