Jarome Luai spills beans on $6 million contract storm

Panthers star Jarome Luai has announced his decision to officially take up a monster contract following a rogue final act.

Jarome Luai faces the press. Photo: Twitter, @JelisaApps.

Jarome Luai has announced his official decision to join the Wests Tigers.

The Panthers star went rogue and called a snap press conference on Wednesday after locking in a five-year deal with the Tigers — a contract that is reported to be worth more than $6 million.

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It is huge news for the Tigers — and coach Benji Marshall, who has finally landed the big fish recruit the club has desperately chased.

The saga surrounding his exit from Penrith took an ugly turn last month when reports emerged of tension between the player and club surrounding his absence from training.

Jarome Luai faces the press. Photo: Twitter, @JelisaApps.

Luai remains committed to the Panthers for the 2024 NRL season before he makes the jump to the Tigers.

The 26-year-old on Wednesday spilled the beans on the reasons behind his decision to leave the reigning premiers.

He told reporters his personal connection with Marshall was one of the reasons he has agreed to sign his future away with the joint-venture club.

Luai said it was “probably the toughest decision of my career and probably life so far”.

“Definitely gotten a lot more attention than what we would have liked these past few months,” he added.

“The purpose of this was to clear everything up and get everything out of the way out of respect and curtesy for the year ahead for my team and my teammates in 2024...

“So without further ado, for 2025 I’ll be heading to the Wests Tigers to continue my career.

“The obvious reason was it was a great opportunity for me to provide and create for my family, and also to create for myself.

“I’ve had a great connection with Benji (Mashall), we’ve spoken about the future and what he sees in me and moving forward. I’m really excited about it.”

Luai was asked about Panthers coach Ivan Cleary’s suggestion he was a “risk” for any club prepared to splash a fortune on his services because Nathan Cleary has always been the dominant playmaker at Penrith.

Cleary said in November: “Is he ready for that? That’s a question mark I would think.

Jarome Luai got paid.

“Can he do it? I’m sure he could do it. Has he done it? He hasn’t really. In this team he has his role to play. That’s a risk everyone would have to take.”

Luai responded on Wednesday, saying: “It did shock me a bit, but he’s not lying.

“It is motivating. I think anyone saying ill about me, motivates me. I’ve always had that edge and that chip on my shoulder. I’ve always been that kind of kid to prove people wrong.”

“I haven’t proven it on the biggest stage yet.”

Marshall said in a statement released by the club: “We are super excited to announce the signing of Jarome for the 2025 season on a five-year deal.

“His experience as a genuine premiership-winning playmaker will be great for us and the future of our club.

“We love the way Jarome plays his footy and even better, he is a great person.

“We very much look forward to welcoming Jarome and his family to our club in 2025, but right now, season 2024 is our focus.”

Jarome Luai is taking his talents to Concord.

The press conference comes after it emerged Penrith had waived its right of reply to launch one final campaign to hold onto him through the controversial 10-day cooling off period.

Only last month Tigers legend Steve Roach raised doubts that Luai would in fact make the move and suggested he would be making a mistake if he did

“Why would you go from the team winning the premiership to the wooden spooners, I don’t get it,” he told foxsports.com.au.

“You’ll get cash down the track if you’re a one-team player, it doesn’t matter, you’ll make more that way.

“I’d like him to come, he’s a good player, but I have my doubts.”

Originally published as Jarome Luai spills beans on $6 million contract storm