The Wests Tigers have caused a stir by prematurely photoshopping incoming recruit Jarome Luai into a social media post wearing Tigers gear.
Luai on Wednesday confirmed he would join the Tigers ahead of the 2025 NRL season after signing what is believed to be a five-year deal worth around $6 million.
It ended months of speculation over the three-time Penrith premiership star’s future, and the Tigers clearly couldn’t wait to celebrate.
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The club’s Instagram and X accounts shared photoshopped images of Luai in Tigers colours inside a graphic that also included the words ‘Jarome Luai’ and ‘SIGNED’ in bold letters.
The images received instant blowback, not least from the Panthers themselves, where Luai will continue to play in 2024 before moving, and fans, who labelled the move disrespectful.
They were quickly deleted and replaced with similar posts, instead including images of Luai in NSW Blues State of Origin gear.
But fans didn’t let it go unnoticed, with one saying: “So good had to post it twice”.
Even a Tigers fan thought the original was a step too far, adding: “Pretty disrespectful photoshopping him in our jersey when he’s still a Panther”.
Despite confirming his move to the struggling Tigers, Luai said on Wednesday he is still fully committed to trying to help lead the Panthers to a historic fourth-consecutive premiership in 2024.
But the chance to finally be given “the keys to the team” was the driving factor behind Luai’s decision to move from the NRL heavyweights to the longtime strugglers in 2025.
Luai had been linked with the Tigers and Canterbury for months after it became apparent the high-flying Panthers would not be able to match their offers of a seven-figure salary.
Confirming his move to the back-to-back wooden spooners on a five-year deal, Luai insisted the call had not been just about finances.
“People think it would just be (money); but it was getting the keys to the team, that was the other motivation,” he said.
Luai is untested at NRL level as a week-in, week-out organising half, a point made clear by Penrith coach Ivan Cleary as the Panthers fought to keep him.
But Nathan Cleary’s long-term lieutenant said he had become hungry for more responsibility since serving as a game-manager during Samoa’s charge to the World Cup final in 2022.
“Ever since then, I’ve longed for that,” he said.
“Being my own guy, writing my own story, was another big part of (the move). I can’t wait.”
Luai’s signing is a major coup for the Tigers, who have struggled to attract elite talent amid a 12-year finals drought.
Luai had also strongly considered a move to the Bulldogs, whose Penrith alumni include coach Cameron Ciraldo and players Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton.
Luai revealed he had not yet informed Ciraldo, a former assistant coach at Penrith, of his decision to choose the Tigers over the Bulldogs.
“This is the phone call,” Luai said of the press conference he called on Wednesday.
“I’ve got a lot brothers there (at the Bulldogs) already, and Cam Ciraldo is like my second dad.
“That’s why the process has dragged on for quite a while … that was a tough decision.”
Tigers coach Benji Marshall, Luai’s childhood hero and a similarly flamboyant five-eighth in his playing days, was influential in the playmaker’s decision-making.
“I’ve had a great connection with Benji,” Luai said.
“I’ve seen a few headlines that (I will) go from the top to the bottom, that sort of thing.
“It resonated with me because I always back myself to win, no matter where I go.
“I’m really excited about it, I’m excited about the challenge.”
Resigned to losing their five-eighth, Penrith waived their right to a 10-day negotiation period, during which they could have convinced Luai to stay put.
But they will have him back at training on Thursday after he took the week off before Christmas amid the contract saga.
Luai’s halves partner for 2025 is yet to be determined with veteran Aidan Sezer and young guns Jayden Sullivan and Latu Fainu likely to jostle at the selection table.
“(Luai’s) experience as a genuine premiership-winning playmaker will be great for us and the future of our club,” Marshall said.
“We very much look forward to welcoming Jarome and his family to our club in 2025, but right now season 2024 is our focus.”
– With AAP
