By Dan Walsh and Michael Chammas
Penrith star Jarome Luai has scheduled a press conference on Wednesday afternoon at which he is expected to confirm his move to Wests Tigers on a lucrative $6 million, five-year deal in 2025.
After this masthead reported on Tuesday that the Panthers had waived its right of reply under the NRL’s new 10-day cooling-off period, Luai’s management has called a press conference at Darling Harbour.
Luai will address the media a day before he is due to return to Penrith training.
As first revealed by this masthead, Luai told teammates on December 16 that 2024 would be his last season at the club and that he would be linking with the Tigers from 2025.
Given a contract had not been signed at that point and the Tigers deal was still being finalised, Canterbury remained an outside chance to lure the 26-year-old with their own five-year offer.
The NRL’s new contracting rules allow a player’s incumbent club 10 days’ grace once they signal an intention to sign with a rival outfit, giving Penrith in this instance a chance to counter and try to retain Luai.
Panthers players formed a huddle for Jarome Luai at training when he informed them of his decision to leave.Credit: Channel Nine
But with Penrith long conceding their own three-year extension worth around $2.5 million could not compete with rival offers, the club has been prepared to waive the cooling-off period.
His move to Concord in 2025 will make him the face of the joint-venture and a likely No.7 for rookie coach Benji Marshall, who personally led the club’s pursuit of Luai before ex-CEO Justin Pascoe and his successor Shane Richardson steered negotiations.
Luai’s expected signing is a coup for Marshall and the beleaguered club after back-to-back wooden spoons and the front-office upheaval that saw Pascoe, chairman Lee Hagipantelis and the Tigers board dismissed before Christmas.
Wests Tigers officials were unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
Luai’s continued rehab from shoulder surgery will still limit his training capabilities when he returns from a fortnight-long break this week.
But officials expect the five-eighth to return to Panthers HQ on Thursday after he skipped training during the last week before Christmas, unhappy at the way news of his decision had emerged.
Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher dismissed any suggestion of Luai seeking, or being granted, an early release for 2024.
“We’re very happy for [Luai], he’s secured a massive contract and a long-term contract which is good, so he’s got the blessing of the club,” Fletcher said late last month.
“We haven’t released any players before, and under no circumstances will Jarome be going anywhere for 2024. After that, we just wish him and his family all the best.”
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