Jarome Luai announces his engagement to long-time partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa
It’s been an agonising few months of soul searching for off-contract Panthers superstar Jarome Luai, but he has finally locked in his future, by announcing he’s getting married.
It’s official: Jarome Luai has locked in his future — he’s getting married.
The off-contract Penrith Panthers superstar took to Instagram on Christmas Day to announce his engagement to his long-time partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa.
The couple — who are holidaying with their children Izzy, Akira and Halo — showed off photos of their custom-made three-carat diamond engagement ring with the caption: “My best friend said yes”.
It’s a summer of love for the Panthers, with Luai’s halves partner Nathan Cleary showing off his new relationship with Matildas striker Mary Fowler after she arrived home from the UK for Christmas.
Penrith teammate and best friend Brian To’o was one of the first to react to the news.
“My guyyyys! Couldn’t be more happy for a deserving couple,” he wrote on Instagram.
Luai’s on-field future has been a major talking point after the off-contract five-eighth told his Panthers teammates last week he would be departing the three-time defending premiers at the end of the 2024 NRL season.
He is expected to sign a five-year $6 million deal to be the marquee signing of rookie coach Benji Marshall’s Wests Tigers.
However, it’s understood Luai has been agonising over the decision, despite Penrith being unable to come close to matching the monster offer from the Tigers.
The Tigers were hopeful of being able to announce Luai’s signing last week, but it’s now been delayed until after Christmas.
The club is still confident of a deal being done.
Last week Luai requested, and was reluctantly granted, leave from Panthers training as he dealt with the biggest decision of his career.
All NRL clubs have now broken from pre-season preparations for the Christmas period and will resume training early in the new year.
Luai’s engagement comes a little more than 12 months after he apologised for giving an embarrassing best man speech that he ‘will always regret’ at To’o’s wedding.
“Just wanna apologise for the words I spoke last night at my brother’s wedding and how ashamed I am for embarrassing both families and my own,” Luai said at the time.
“The excitement of the occasion definitely got the better of me and I took it too far. Not much I can do about it now but be a man about this mistake and learn from it.
“Apologies to everyone I’ve disrespected, this is something I will always regret. Love you guys @bizzzaa @salamoesha.”
Penrith winger Sunia Turuva hinted at the incident in his reply to Luai’s announcement on Monday, posting “SPEEEEEECH”.
“Nah no speeches at my wedding,” Luai replied with a laughing emoji.
More Coverage
Parramatta’s public humiliation of Gutherson is outrageous
Clint Gutherson is a Parramatta club legend that is being treated like some D-grade wannabe. He isn’t just a player – he’s a leader and inspiration who deserves better than a club that’s slowly eroding his status, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
NRL vs. Rugby Australia: Code war erupts over 10 schoolboy prodigies
The hottest schoolboy talents in the country are caught in the middle of an escalating signing war. See our analysis of 10 young stars that are stuck between codes and what their status is heading into 2025.