Panthers great Greg Alexander slams ‘made up’ Jarome Luai rumour

Panthers legend Greg Alexander has been forced to shut down a wild rumour surrounding Jarome Luai as interest ramps up in the star.

Jarome Luai looking relaxed at Penrith Panthers Captain’s Run at Accor Stadium in Homebush. Picture: Adam Yip

Panthers Deputy Chairman Greg Alexander has slammed reports that Penrith would entertain an immediate player swap deal for star five-eighth Jarome Luai.

Pointing the finger at the most powerful player agent in the game, the Penrith legend said a story that his club would consider releasing Luai immediately for two Tigers players – veteran prop David Klemmer and emerging playmaker Lachlan Galvin – was “just a made-up story”.

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“Isaac Moses, the manager of Lachlan Galvin and David Klemmer, maybe he was listening (to the show), and he came up with this idea,” Alexander suggested on SEN’s Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy on Thursday.

“Apparently it was a proposal by the Panthers to make it happen, that was the story.

“It was completely made up. It’s just a made-up story.”

While Alexander accepted that 18-year-old Galvin is a “very good young half” – he played down any interest in 29-year-old Klemmer when asked if the Panthers would consider doing a deal for him.

Jarome Luai seems to be no chance of staying at the Panthers. Picture: Adam Yip

“Not really, no. Not to swap Jarome Luai for a front-rower,” he said.

It’s the second time in the space of two weeks Alexander has been forced to shut down stories emerging about the in-demand Luai – who’s contracted at Penrith until the end of 2024 but appears minimal chance of re-signing beyond that.

The Tigers are reportedly the frontrunners to sign Luai and are prepared to make a mammoth $4.5 million offer should he choose to leave the Panthers.

However Alexander bristled at suggestions the Panthers would let the 26-year-old go before the end of his deal.

“(Releasing him in 2024)? Forget it,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“Like forget it, it’s not happening, we went through this with Matt Burton.

“We had every man and his dog chipping in saying, ‘It’s not fair’.

“Well, it is fair, he (Luai) has a contract with Penrith next year.”

Greg Alexander is sick of the Luai stories. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Meanwhile, NRL premiers Penrith will chase their first World Club Challenge with confirmation they will travel to England to play against Super League Champions Wigan Warriors.

The Panthers will take on the Super League champions in Wigan on Saturday, February 24.

Having secured a third straight NRL premiership with a stunning come-from-behind win over the Brisbane Broncos in October, Panthers chief executive Matt Cameron said the club wanted to win the World Club Challenge for the first time in their fourth appearance

The match will be the second time the two sides have met in a World Club Challenge, with Wigan winning the previous encounter 21-4 at Anfield in 1991.

“We are excited to travel to England next February to test ourselves against the Super League champions Wigan Warriors,” Cameron said.

OFFICIAL ✈️ Panthers will travel to England to contest the World Club Challenge against Wigan Warriors.

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— Penrith Panthers 🏆🏆🏆 (@PenrithPanthers) November 30, 2023

“The World Club Challenge is such a vital piece of the rugby league calendar and we’re looking forward to contesting the match for a second straight year.

“Wigan are a proud rugby league club that have achieved sustained success for many years, which will give the Panthers an exciting challenge to open the 2024 campaign.”

It will be Wigan’s ninth attempt at becoming world club champions, having claimed the title in 1987, 1991, 1993 and 2017.

Wigan Warriors defeated Catalans Dragons 10-2 in the Super League grand final to become Super League champions in October

- With NCA Newswire