NRL 2024: Jarome Luai absent from training for third day as Wests Tigers decision draws near

Three-time reigning premiers Penrith wrapped up their pre-Christmas training program on Wednesday, with superstar five-eighth Jarome Luai again a notable absentee from the squad.

Penrith players, including Nathan Cleary, at Panthers Rugby League Academy on Wednesday, December 20. Credit: Supplied.

Penrith will have to wait until the new year to get departing superstar Jarome Luai back to training, but the Wests Tigers could get clarity on their marquee signing-in-waiting by the end of the week.

Luai wasn’t spotted at the Panthers Rugby League Academy for a third straight day, having requested time off as he struggles with the biggest decision of his NRL career.

The Panthers wrapped up pre-season preparations for the year on Wednesday, training off site before returning to Panthers headquarters on the team bus.

Captain and halfback Nathan Cleary reported for training, after he was photographed picking up Matildas star Mary Fowler from Sydney Airport following her arrival home from the UK the night before, in further confirmation of the pair’s budding romance.

As they piled off the bus, Luai, affectionately known as the team’s chief energy officer, was noticeably missing.

In Luai’s absence, it was left to 2023 NRL rookie of the year Sunia Turuva to take charge of the club’s giant boombox.

The players looked relaxed as they tried to stay out of the driving rain as they lined up for lunch without Luai, something they’ll have to get used to.

Penrith players, including Nathan Cleary, at Panthers Rugby League Academy. Picture: Supplied.

Penrith players return to home base after training off site. Picture: Supplied.

It’s believed Luai is just days away from signing a five-year, $6 million deal to join the Wests Tigers from 2025, after he revealed to teammates on Saturday the upcoming season would be his last at the club.

Despite reluctantly granting Luai leave from training this week to deal with the enormity of leaving Penrith, Panthers officials have ruled out releasing the popular No.6 from the final year of his deal.

“Jarome is committed to the club for 2024 and we look forward to having him here for next season,” Panthers Group chief executive Brian Fletcher said on Tuesday.

Regardless, it’s understood the Tigers don’t currently have the available salary cap space to accommodate Luai for next season.

Once the 26-year-old indicates he is ready to accept the Tigers’ offer, the deal must be lodged with the NRL.

That will trigger the new 10-day cooling-off period where, under the new contracting guidelines, the Panthers have that time to convince him to change his mind. However, the Panthers have already indicated they are in no position to match the Tigers’ bid, with their offer believed to be in excess of $2.4 million over three years.

Jarome Luai won’t be back at Penrith until the new year.

Even if Penrith don’t convince him to stay, Luai can still reject the Tigers’ offer and go back on the open market, where Canterbury are still keen on securing his services.

The $6 million contract will be life changing for Luai, who spent the early part of his career living with his parents and helping pay off the mortgage of their Mt Druitt home.

Just this year, Luai and his partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa purchased a $1.55 million family home for their three kids in the heart of Penrith, a short drive from BlueBet Stadium.

It comes as Melbourne centre Justin Olam and his representatives held further talks with the Storm about a potential move to the Wests Tigers.

It’s understood the clubs are edging towards a deal that could result in an immediate swap, with forward Shawn Blore heading in the opposite direction.

It’s understood Tigers coach Benji Marshall has taken a personal interest in the Olam deal, whose talks revived this week after negotiations had stalled as the Tigers focused on their pursuit of Luai.