NRL 2024: Penrith Panthers will not release Jarome Luai from the final year of his contract
Jarome Luai has been absent from Penrith training for a second straight day amid speculation of a release from the final year of his contract. Hear what the Panthers boss had to say.
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Penrith have ruled out an early release for departing superstar Jarome Luai, despite the Panthers five-eighth not being spotted at training for a second straight day.
Panthers players slogged it out in the Penrith heat on Tuesday in one of their final sessions of the year, but did so without their popular No.6.
It’s been an emotional few days for Luai, who told Panthers teammates and officials on Saturday that he would depart the club at the end of next season, when he will likely take up a five-year, $6 million deal to join the Wests Tigers.
While it was all hugs from his teammates upon telling them of his impending departure, just 36 hours later Luai’s representatives had requested time off from training for their client to deal with the fallout of the painstaking decision.
The Panthers reluctantly agreed, leading to speculation the Tigers could look to secure an immediate release for the 26-year-old to bring him in to join Benji Marshall in his debut season as head coach.
However, Panthers group chief executive Brian Fletcher on Tuesday insisted Luai would not be allowed to move to any rival club for next season.
“Jarome is committed to the club for 2024 and we look forward to having him here for next season,” Fletcher said.
This masthead spotted Luai’s car parked in the driveway of his South Penrith home on Tuesday afternoon, around the time his teammates were departing the Panthers Academy.
They had undergone a light, on-field run and weights session before holding a team meeting.
It’s understood Luai’s management had initially requested Luai be excused from training for two days.
The Panthers are scheduled to hold their final training session for the year on Wednesday, before breaking for Christmas and returning in the new year.
Luai isn’t currently training with the main group, as he continues his recovery from off-season shoulder surgery.
Fletcher confirmed that Luai would be on deck with his teammates as they resume pre-season preparations in their bid to win a fourth straight NRL premiership.
“We love him to death and we need him to play here next year,” Fletcher told Channel 9.
“Under no circumstances will Jarome be going anywhere for ‘24.”
The Tigers are closing in on signing Luai, who has played a major role in Penrith’s three successive premierships.
Under the new contracting guidelines, once a player indicates he is ready to accept an offer from a rival club, the deal must be lodged with the NRL.
His incumbent club then has 10 days to convince him to change his mind. Even if they can’t convince him to stay, the player can shift their stance, reject the rival offer and go back on the open market.
Canterbury remain interested in signing Luai, but their bid is inferior to the Tigers’ offer.
The Panthers have increased their offer to retain Luai to more than $2.4 million over three years, but they cannot match the Tigers or Bulldogs.
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