NRL 2024: Jarome Luai granted leave from Penrith Panthers following Wests Tigers bombshell

Penrith Panthers reluctantly grant Jarome Luai time away from training after announcing his shock exit from the club.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, DECEMBER 13, 2023 Wests Tigers Media Conference with new interim chief executive, Shane Richardson, addressing the media for the first time since the board was swept out in a radical overhaul. Picture: David Swift

Stressed Panthers star Jarome Luai has been formally granted time away from training after announcing his shock exit from the club.

This masthead understands Luai’s management approached Penrith on Sunday night with the request, which was reluctantly approved.

Luai missed Monday’s session and it is unknown whether he will attend training on Tuesday.

It was originally suggested Luai sought two days away, as he closes in on accepting a five-year, $6 million offer to join the Wests Tigers from 2025.

Luai was at training on Saturday, however he was away from the main group and instead was doing non-contact work as he continues his rehabilitation from off-season shoulder surgery.

His absence has led to talk that Luai could start agitating for an early release to join a rival club in 2024.

Luai told Penrith officials and players on Saturday that he would be departing after next season, and left the Mulgoa Rd facility an hour early.

Jarome Luai has been granted leave from training.

The Tigers are frontrunners to secure his signature, while Canterbury also remain an option.

New Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson was unavailable for comment on Monday night.

Insiders claim Luai has been distressed over his decision to leave Penrith, where he has won three successive grand finals.

Penrith found it difficult to deny Luai’s request given he is unsettled.

Panthers management insist Luai will honour the final year of his contract next season.

The club wants Luai training but denies there is any tension surrounding his brief, approved absence.

Jarome Luai took to Instagram to confirm no deal had been done.

That angst could, however, increase quickly and significantly if Luai doesn’t return to training sometime this week.

The club has built its reputation and bond around a strong work ethic at training.

Penrith will have a light on-field run on Tuesday although Luai, given his injury, won’t be required at the session.

The club will also hold an indoor session which will include weights, wrestling and a team meeting.

LUAI’S IMPACT ON WESTS TIGERS ODDS

Failure to finals. Jarome Luai’s likely defection from Penrith to Concord has sent betting markets into a spin, with bookies installing Wests Tigers – wooden spooners for the past two years – among the 2025 premiership favourites.

Based on the possible recruitment of one player, Wests Tigers’ premiership odds have been slashed from $67 next season to just $19 for 2025. TAB’s Rohan Welsh claimed the odds “showed Luai’s true worth and impact”.

The Tigers and Canterbury are locked in a battle for Luai, who informed Panthers teammates on Friday he would be quitting after next season.

While Wests Tigers are frontrunners, Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould is lurking.

New Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson increased his club’s package to Luai on Friday night, their offer now about $750,000 more than Canterbury’s bid over a five-year contract.

Jarome Luai’s true worth revealed by TAB odds. Picture: Adam Yip

Insiders claim Wests Tigers have offered a deal worth $1.2m a year, with the Bulldogs’ offer about $1.05m a season. Canterbury insiders remain hopeful if not optimistic. Wests Tigers are nervous about Gould’s influence and power.

The prospect of Luai moving to Concord prompted the TAB to release premiership and top eight odds for Wests Tigers in 2025.

Coach Benji Marshall’s side will start next season paying a friendless $67 to claim the grand final with those odds slashed to just $19 twelve months later, provided the club signs Luai.

And the TAB installed Wests Tigers as a $1.75 chance to reach the 2025 finals. One punter has already backed Luai to win the 2025 Clive Churchill medal at $34.

Wests Tigers have attracted just one per cent of the market for the 2024 premiership.

“If Wests Tigers can land Luai then it could turn around the whole perception of the club,” said Welsh. “We’ve found they’re already one of those teams that punters want to get behind.

Benji Marshall and Wests Tigers have tabled a monster offer. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty Images

“Obviously it will be a different roster and an untried coach, but we think $1.75 to make the top eight in 2025 shows Luai’s true worth.

“We have priced the Tigers at $19 to win the 2025 title. That’s compared to the current $67 on offer with TAB to win next year.

“That’s still good odds but also a fairly big indication of the impact his signing could have.

“It’s good value for TAB punters this far out with Tigers fans among the most parochial in the comp.

“It’s a strong and loyal supporter base and when they string together a few wins they’re like Parramatta and the Dragons fans, they dare to dream.

“Unfortunately, it’s mostly ended in nightmares since 2005 for Wests Tigers.

“But that belief might return if they have an influential figure in the playmaking role and Luai has shown when Nathan Cleary’s been injured that he has the ability to take control of a match when needed.”

Penrith will be afforded the opportunity to make a counter offer to Luai under the NRL’s 10-day cooling-off period. That period starts with a contract is lodged with NRL management and the player’s current club is notified.