Adding in:
- there were times Luai moved to the right to link with Galvin. Galvin always on right edge though.
- Luke Lualilii filled in at fullback when Bula was resting
- Toa looks to be first choice for right centre
And left centre might be?
Based purely on what they ran today, it will be Olam.
Adding in:
- there were times Luai moved to the right to link with Galvin. Galvin always on right edge though.
- Luke Lualilii filled in at fullback when Bula was resting
- Toa looks to be first choice for right centre
And left centre might be?
Olam
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Adding in:
- there were times Luai moved to the right to link with Galvin. Galvin always on right edge though.
- Luke Lualilii filled in at fullback when Bula was resting
- Toa looks to be first choice for right centre
And left centre might be?
Olam
Might be a sweet combo with Luai, Fainu and Turuva 👍
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Adding in:
- there were times Luai moved to the right to link with Galvin. Galvin always on right edge though.
- Luke Lualilii filled in at fullback when Bula was resting
- Toa looks to be first choice for right centre
And left centre might be?
Olam
Might be a sweet combo with Luai, Fainu and Turuva 👍
Based purely on today, Turuva was on the other wing. Skelton and Luke L on the left with Olam.
Open Training. POI;
— Twal, May, Hunt not playing
Klem in reggies
Seyfarth right edge (as expected) with Toa and Turuva
S Fainu left edge (slimmed down) with Olam/L Laililli (mainly) and Skelton (Olam looked busted and struggled on turns in shuttles)
Luai Left half,Galvin right ( both swapped on occasion) and looked creative.
Doueihi looked disinterested( maybe injured?)
All play was on line so hard to judge general play
D could be a worry again - Reggies scored 3 tries, one on right (Lobb leap over LL), 2 in left corner (thru Toa and Turuva)
An enjoyable morning and confirmed my thoughts. Would be nice see another session that included the 3 big men.
Open Training. POI;
<snipped>
S Fainu left edge (slimmed down) with Olam/L Laililli (mainly) and Skelton (Olam looked busted and struggled on turns in shuttles)
I also noticed that. He looks like a skinny kid
@forever-9th when did Galvin move to the left? I totally did not see that. Missed it. Saw Luai move to the right a number of times though
I actually mentioned to Steve that it was a good thing the session was as competitive as it was. I’d hate to see one side provide very little competition in these sessions. The tougher it is for the the best (at the moment) 13 or so the better, it should help them improve. If the opposition is poor it won’t help much.Open Training. POI;
— Twal, May, Hunt not playing
Klem in reggies
Seyfarth right edge (as expected) with Toa and Turuva
S Fainu left edge (slimmed down) with Olam/L Laililli (mainly) and Skelton (Olam looked busted and struggled on turns in shuttles)
Luai Left half,Galvin right ( both swapped on occasion) and looked creative.
Doueihi looked disinterested( maybe injured?)
All play was on line so hard to judge general play
D could be a worry again - Reggies scored 3 tries, one on right (Lobb leap over LL), 2 in left corner (thru Toa and Turuva)
An enjoyable morning and confirmed my thoughts. Would be nice see another session that included the 3 big men.
@forever-9th when did Galvin move to the left? I totally did not see that. Missed it. Saw Luai move to the right a number of times though
Ball was going left to Luai, but Galvin was sweeping from right to left and was available as a decoy or receiver for Luai. Looked like an overlap play to me.
@tigersteve couldn't give a exact time or number just noted it a couple of times. It was good to see them both on the same side occasionally. It will take time to build their combo but im very positive about it.
Also saw the right edge ( Galvin, Toa and Turuva) working on their combination and timing during a break.
@tigersteve couldn't give a exact time or number just noted it a couple of times. It was good to see them both on the same side occasionally. It will take time to build their combo but im very positive about it.
Also saw the right edge ( Galvin, Toa and Turuva) working on their combination and timing during a break.
Galvin in his short time in first grade has been so dominant on the left side, Im nervous about him being pushed to the right, particularly as I see the right edge as inferior......but if anyone is going to force that, Luai would be up there.
Jarome Luai opens up on Wests Tigers pressure, Lachlan Galvin partnership, contract clauses, and more
Jarome Luai believes he can be as influential a signing at the Tigers as 2005 premiership-winning halfback Scott Prince. Hear from Concord’s new marquee man as he talks expectations, Lachlan Galvin link-up, contract details and more.
Jarome Luai told Wests Tigers officials that if he played for them this year they would have made the top eight.
This was after spending his off-season re-watching every Tigers game twice before fronting up early for pre-season training last week.
Luai is the Tigers’ most important signing since 2005 premiership-winning halfback Scott Prince. And he believes he could be as influential as well.
Luai spoke with Michael Carayannis about expectations. Not externally but the pressure he has put on himself to win a fifth premiership.
PRESSURE
“Pressure is a big part of why I’m here,” Luai said.
“I want that pressure. Only the great players get to experience that and I’m looking at it as a great privilege to step into these shoes.”
As for premierships?
“I’ve always shot for the stars bro,” Luai said.
“If there is no ring on my hand at the end of the year, I wouldn’t say it’s a failure but that’s always my goal. If it’s not then you’re not playing in the right sport. That’s my ambition for 2025.”
Luai has worn the No.6 for a large chunk of his career. But he seems set for a switch as he partners Lachie Galvin in the halves.
Jarome Luai looks set to wear the No.7 this season. Picture: Rohan Kelly
“I think so,” Luai said of playing halfback.
“We’ll see what Benji (Marshall) feels. It would be pretty cool to wear Benji’s six but whatever number is on my back, I’m here to do a good job.”
Luai, who helped launch the Tigers’ upgraded sponsorship with insurance giant, Zurich who are now also the club’s sleeve sponsor as well as their naming rights holder of the centre of excellence, knows what is coming his way.
He had a taste of running the Panthers this season in the absence of Nathan Cleary. The onus will be on him to prove that he can do it for a season.
“There will always be those questions and you’re only as good as your last game,” Luai said.
“If I’m to have a bad game here or there then that question will be there the following week.”
CLAUSE FOR CONCERN?
Luai could be a free agent as early as November 1.
While he agreed to a five-year contract to make a high profile switch from the Panthers, his contract is filled with clauses. He can quit the club as early as two seasons in.
“That was negotiated by my management team,” Luai said.
“If you have a good agent then their best interest is the player. I’m locked into the club and bringing success to this team. If you’re a Tigers fan be excited for years to come. I’m all in. That’s the kind of man I’ve been.”
Premiership-winning recruits Sunia Turuva and Jarome Luai. Picture: Rohan Kelly
LEADERSHIP
Luai made a statement of coming to training early.
Sunia Turuva, who joined Luai at the Tigers from Penrith this year, said Luai was already barking instructions at their new Tigers teammates. Luai knows he needs to play a different role this season.
“I’m feeling old,” Luai said.
“They are young, full of energy and keen to learn. It takes me back to when I was first coming into grade. Hopefully I can instil in them some good habits.
“(I came early) to get to know the boys. January seemed a bit short to where the season starts. I wanted to show the boys I mean business and start early.
“I don’t want to say that I want to be captain. It’s not a driving factor for me. We have a great captain in Apisai (Koroisau) and I’m really happy to be under him.”
Lachlan Galvin will partner Jarome Luai in the halves. Picture: Wests Tigers
PARTNERSHIP
The Luai and Galvin combination is critical to any success the Tigers have.
Galvin is setting the standard by clean-sweeping the club’s fitness drills already this pre-season.
“You don’t want to change the way he plays,” Luai said.
“He is so fit. He can be anywhere at any team. That’s a massive asset. He is a sponge and has energy.”
SAYING GOODBYE
Luai was content when he cleaned out his locker at Penrith for the last time. Four premierships, five grand finals and 131 first grade games to his name.
“I wouldn’t say emotional,” Luai said.
“It was a happy feeling. I left on a good note. I did what I wanted to do in my last season. I really locked into that. I found simple closure in closing this door and being able to move into the next chapter. Now that I’m here it has come quickly but I’m ready for this.”
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
It was great to see Heamasi Makasini at the open training session. I’ve been told he doesn’t turn 18 until late July so if he debuts it’ll be late in the season. But he’s a big kid & will continue to develop physically & in his knowledge of the game at a high level. But I am very, very excited about a left edge of Romey, Samuela, Heamasi & Jeral. With Jahream also there it will be one of the best left edges, if not the best in 2026.
Jarome Luai opens up on Wests Tigers pressure, Lachlan Galvin partnership, contract clauses, and more
Jarome Luai believes he can be as influential a signing at the Tigers as 2005 premiership-winning halfback Scott Prince. Hear from Concord’s new marquee man as he talks expectations, Lachlan Galvin link-up, contract details and more.
Jarome Luai told Wests Tigers officials that if he played for them this year they would have made the top eight.
This was after spending his off-season re-watching every Tigers game twice before fronting up early for pre-season training last week.
Luai is the Tigers’ most important signing since 2005 premiership-winning halfback Scott Prince. And he believes he could be as influential as well.
Luai spoke with Michael Carayannis about expectations. Not externally but the pressure he has put on himself to win a fifth premiership.
PRESSURE
“Pressure is a big part of why I’m here,” Luai said.
“I want that pressure. Only the great players get to experience that and I’m looking at it as a great privilege to step into these shoes.”
As for premierships?
“I’ve always shot for the stars bro,” Luai said.
“If there is no ring on my hand at the end of the year, I wouldn’t say it’s a failure but that’s always my goal. If it’s not then you’re not playing in the right sport. That’s my ambition for 2025.”
Luai has worn the No.6 for a large chunk of his career. But he seems set for a switch as he partners Lachie Galvin in the halves.
Jarome Luai looks set to wear the No.7 this season. Picture: Rohan Kelly
“I think so,” Luai said of playing halfback.
“We’ll see what Benji (Marshall) feels. It would be pretty cool to wear Benji’s six but whatever number is on my back, I’m here to do a good job.”
Luai, who helped launch the Tigers’ upgraded sponsorship with insurance giant, Zurich who are now also the club’s sleeve sponsor as well as their naming rights holder of the centre of excellence, knows what is coming his way.
He had a taste of running the Panthers this season in the absence of Nathan Cleary. The onus will be on him to prove that he can do it for a season.
“There will always be those questions and you’re only as good as your last game,” Luai said.
“If I’m to have a bad game here or there then that question will be there the following week.”
CLAUSE FOR CONCERN?
Luai could be a free agent as early as November 1.
While he agreed to a five-year contract to make a high profile switch from the Panthers, his contract is filled with clauses. He can quit the club as early as two seasons in.
“That was negotiated by my management team,” Luai said.
“If you have a good agent then their best interest is the player. I’m locked into the club and bringing success to this team. If you’re a Tigers fan be excited for years to come. I’m all in. That’s the kind of man I’ve been.”
Premiership-winning recruits Sunia Turuva and Jarome Luai. Picture: Rohan Kelly
LEADERSHIP
Luai made a statement of coming to training early.
Sunia Turuva, who joined Luai at the Tigers from Penrith this year, said Luai was already barking instructions at their new Tigers teammates. Luai knows he needs to play a different role this season.
“I’m feeling old,” Luai said.
“They are young, full of energy and keen to learn. It takes me back to when I was first coming into grade. Hopefully I can instil in them some good habits.
“(I came early) to get to know the boys. January seemed a bit short to where the season starts. I wanted to show the boys I mean business and start early.
“I don’t want to say that I want to be captain. It’s not a driving factor for me. We have a great captain in Apisai (Koroisau) and I’m really happy to be under him.”
Lachlan Galvin will partner Jarome Luai in the halves. Picture: Wests Tigers
PARTNERSHIP
The Luai and Galvin combination is critical to any success the Tigers have.
Galvin is setting the standard by clean-sweeping the club’s fitness drills already this pre-season.
“You don’t want to change the way he plays,” Luai said.
“He is so fit. He can be anywhere at any team. That’s a massive asset. He is a sponge and has energy.”
SAYING GOODBYE
Luai was content when he cleaned out his locker at Penrith for the last time. Four premierships, five grand finals and 131 first grade games to his name.
“I wouldn’t say emotional,” Luai said.
“It was a happy feeling. I left on a good note. I did what I wanted to do in my last season. I really locked into that. I found simple closure in closing this door and being able to move into the next chapter. Now that I’m here it has come quickly but I’m ready for this.”
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So looking forward to seeing him play for us.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I’m keen to see Toa play fit in a settled team. This is his last shot at becoming a regular NRL player and he has a lot of motivation for
