Jarome Luai-Ivan Cleary slanging match: Wests Tigers enter race for Panthers star

Benji Marshall could prove an influential player in Panthers star Jarome Luai’s contract negotiations as Penrith responds to the simmering tensions between their five-eighth and coach.

Jarome Luai has hit out at coach Ivan Cleary. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Penrith have responded to Jarome Luai’s cryptic social media post as the Wests Tigers consider making a play for the superstar five-eighth.

Luai seemingly had a subtle swipe at Ivan Cleary on Thursday morning, the day after the Panthers coach had questioned whether it was a risk to pay his star half more than $1 million a season.

Luai posted a story to his Instagram account on Thursday morning with the caption “know your worth” alongside a song by rapper 50 Cent.

Panthers football CEO Matt Cameron was aware of Luai’s post but didn’t expect it to impact their chances of re-signing the 26-year-old.

“I’ve seen it, we haven’t engaged with Jarome about it,” Cameron said.

“The coach has been away, he was back the day before yesterday. I think the coach had been in touch with him. We had a meeting with him three weeks ago, and all parties were very transparent. Ivan’s comments yesterday, they were things we have been talking about.

Jarome Luai's social media swipe at coach Ivan Cleary.

Jarome Luai celebrates grand final victory. Picture: NRL Photos

“The post is what the post is … I don’t live in a social media world. We’ll engage with Jarome and continue that conversation.”

Luai is off contract at the end of 2024, meaning he is now free to sign with rival clubs.

While the Tigers are not believed to have made an official approach as yet, the club is

determined to arm rookie coach Benji Marshall with a side capable of fighting for finals football.

The Tigers have signed veteran half Aiden Sezer for next season, St George Illawarra young gun Jayden Sullivan and teenage Manly playmaker Latu Fainu.

Marshall and Luai have a relationship that stretches back to 2021, when they were teammates and roommates in the Maori All Stars side.

At the time, Luai spoke about how he had grown up worshipping Marshall after falling in love with the Tigers star at the age of six while on a camping trip with his family to Patonga.

“I clearly remember that ’05 grand final and where I was when Benji did that flick pass – it is a memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life,” Luai said at the time.

“Our camping neighbours happened to have a little portable TV, so we watched the game on it. I remember my mum got me a Tigers towel afterwards and I used it after every shower for the next five years – I just didn’t want to let go of it.

“I’ve been a fan of Benji ever since.”

Marshall will give the likes of Sullivan and Fainu, as well as emerging half Lachlan Galvin, every chance to show what they can do throughout the pre-season.

However, it is understood he hasn’t ruled out making a play for Luai as the Panthers star prepares to test the open market.

The Panthers have tabled a two-year extension to Luai worth around $1.7 million and it would take a significant deal to prise him out of Penrith given his connection with the club.

“I completely understand his desire to test the market. He’s a three-time premiership player who has earned the right to do that,” Cameron said.

“We want him, if we didn’t we’d be going in a different direction but we are not.

“He’s grown up with the boys he is playing with at the moment. We see him as a one-club player. The reality is we are trying to get him in a capped environment but we are confident we can get something done.”

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall would love to have someone of Luai’s class. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The lyrics of the 50 Cent song with which Luai accompanied his post — Hustler’s Ambition — is compelling given his situation.

The song begins: “Like the fire needs the air. I won’t burn unless you’re there. You’re there, ooh I need you.”

The Luai clip ends with the lyrics: “I need you to hate, so I can use you for your energy.”

Cleary on Wednesday questioned if Luai was ready to step into a main playmaking role.

“If any club wants to give him the money you’re talking — the money that he would maybe consider leaving for — it would have to be for that kind of role,” Cleary said on Wednesday. “I can understand that. Is he ready for that? That’s the question mark, I would think.”

Luai is recovering from off-season surgery as he considers Penrith’s offer.

Without Nathan Cleary in the side, Luai has won 85 per cent of his games as a Panther. His record playing alongside Cleary is 81.6 per cent.

DRAGONS’ BID TO RETAIN OFF-CONTRACT STAR

St George Illawarra have made a three-year offer to keep Moses Suli at the club long-term. Suli, who is now able to sign with rival clubs for 2025, is expected to attract interest from a host of teams, including his former club the Wests Tigers.

He is in the final year of his original three-year-contract after joining the Dragons from Manly. The Dragons view Suli and Maroons back-rower Jaydn Su’A as priority re-signings.

The pair are among a host of off-contract players now with new coach Shane Flanagan opting to be patient before locking players down.

The other players free to sign elsewhere include Francis and Michael Molo, Jack de Belin, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Paul Turner, Tyrell Sloan, Max and Mat Feagai.

The Dragons have re-signed hooker Connor Muhleisen, who will remain at the club on a supplementary contract, meaning he will sit outside the top 30. Under the new NRL rules he will be free to play round one. Muhleisen, 22, made his NRL debut this year and played six games, including starting the final three. He will provide some much needed back-up to Jacob Liddle.

It's a Funny Game by Boo Bailey.

PAT ‘VIV’ RICHARDS’ CODE SWITCH

Wests Tigers 2005 premiership hero Pat Richards is earning the new nickname ‘Viv’ after switching sports and proving an instant success.

Richards scored 124 playing fifth grade for Campbelltown-Camden in grade cricket. The former winger was a budding cricket star and had to choose between the two sports. He was once pictured alongside Michael Clarke as promising cricket stars as a teen.

Pat Richards (R) and Michael Clarke.

Pat ‘Viv’ Richards.

MURRAY’S BOOTS’N’ALL GESTURE

South Sydney captain Cameron Murray grabbed a share of history against New Zealand last weekend and the boots he wore in that game are now up for grabs as the Rabbitohs raise money to help the children of former player Kyle Turner.

Murray equalled the record of the legendary Ron Coote with his sixth try in six consecutive games for the Kangaroos against the Kiwis, and his history-making boots will be auctioned on Friday at a fundraising lunch at Souths Juniors.

The Rabbitohs, Souths Cares, the Family of League and Turner’s manager, Steve Gillis, have joined forces to establish the fund, which will be used to support their ongoing education and health expenses of Turner’s family.

Cam’s gift to Turner family.

Murray has come to the party as well and he will wear the boots on Saturday night in the final of the Pacific Championships as he looks to take sole ownership of the tryscoring record.

Turner’s former teammate Jason Clark has also been hard at work, chasing up their old teammates to sign jerseys celebrating the 2014 premiership-winning side.

Clark has travelled all over Sydney and to Brisbane to collect the signatures of the surviving members of the grand final team, along with former head coach Michael Maguire and teammate Issac Luke, who was desperately unlucky not to play on the big day.

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary are Australia’s latest sporting couple. While Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have set tongues wagging in the US, the Australian stars are making similar waves across the nation.

But Fowler isn’t the first high-profile partner of a rugby league player. Some have lasted the distance while others have very public breakups. They include:

– Trent Merrin/Sally Fitzgibbons

– Nate Myles/Tessa James

– Braith Anasta/Jodi Gordon

– Julian O’Neill/Sam Riley

– Shaun Johnson/Kayla Cullen

– Zac Lomax/Tahlia Thornton

– Zac Lomax/Jess Sergis

– Anthony Minichiello/Terry Biviano

– Clint Newton/Jennifer Hawkins

– Adam Elliott/Millie Boyle

Originally published as Jarome Luai-Ivan Cleary slanging match: Wests Tigers enter race for Panthers star