NRL 2024: Jarome Luai opens on future Tigers halves partner Lachlan Galvin, Panthers bound Blaize Talagi, captaining Samoa

Jarome Luai has heaped the praise on his soon-to-be halves partner Lachlan Galvin with a massive call. The four-time premiership winner also speaks on captaining Samoa and playing alongside his Penrith replacement Blaize Talagi.

Wests Tigers-bound Jarome Luai believes Lachlan Galvin is a better teen talent than what his Penrith halves partner Nathan Cleary was at the same age.

It comes as the four-time premiership winner prepares to team up with another teenage rookie in Blaize Talagi, the player set to replace Luai in the No.6 jumper at Penrith in 2025, for Samoa’s upcoming tour of England.

After three-days celebrating Penrith’s historic grand final win, Luai has one eye on his highly-anticipated switch to Concord in 2025.

While Luai and Cleary have built the NRL’s most formidable halves combination as part of Penrith’s premiership dynasty, the 27-year-old is confident his partnership with Galvin can help transform the Tigers’ on-field fortunes.

“It’s crazy, I don’t even think Nathan (Cleary) was doing that at his age,” Luai said.

“It speaks volumes of his potential and what he is capable of. So I’m really excited to work with him.”

Jarome Luai had some strong praise for his soon-to-be halves partner at the Tigers Lachlan Galvin. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Galvin, who was named in the Prime Minister’s XIII squad to take on Papua New Guinea, was a playmaking revelation in his first full-season of NRL, shouldering the responsibility of guiding the side’s attack as a 19-year-old.

Luai isn’t officially due back to pre-season training with the Tigers until the new year but told this masthead he will get in touch with both coach Benji Marshall and Galvin “asap”.

Lachlan Galvin is set to play for the Prime Minister's XIII. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I know he’s (Galvin) got a game over in PNG, so I will let him focus on that,” Luai said.

“I’ve got some commitments in England I need to take care of as well, but as soon as I get back from my England tour we will link-up.”

Penrith carried ‘we are the hunters’ as a theme for this year’s title win. It was designed to remind players to always be the hunter, rather than the hunted – as rivals attempt to topple the reigning premiers.

Luai will be taking that hunter mindset with him to Concord in a bid to lift the Tigers from the bottom of the ladder, after falling to three-straight wooden spoons in 2024.

“I’m always going to carry what Penrith has done with me, no matter what team I’m in,” Luai said.

Jarome Luai wants to take the Panthers’ winning mentality to Concord. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“But I know what it’s like to win and I know what winning looks like.

“So If I can take that and help out the Tigers with what it looks like then I’ll be all for that.”

Luai will be joined by Penrith teammate Sunia Turuva at Concord next year, alongside fellow new recruits Jeral Skelton, Jack Bird and Royce Hunt.

Marshall’s roster also boasts a slew of rising talent like the Fainu brothers, Latu and Samuela as well as highly regarded local juniors in Heath Mason, Tallyn Da Silva and boom schoolboy rugby star Heamasi Makasini.

While Marshall has plenty of budding talent at his disposal, it’s Luai’s leadership that could prove the most decisive in the Tigers’ success next season.

Luai has taken his game to another level this year but has also been elevated as a leader both at club and Origin level.

Now Luai is set to captain Samoa in the island nation’s two test matches against England this month.

Jarome Luai has turned his focus from premiership celebrations to Samoa duties as he prepares to captain the side. Picture: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

“Obviously the four-feat was really special for me but I think captaining my country is right up there with it,” Luai said.

“It’ll only be good for my growth and what I want to be and become as a leader. I wouldn’t say it’s like another box ticked but it’s not something I thought I would ever be able to do. So it’s a massive achievement for myself and my family.”

Luai will also join forces with former Parramatta local junior Talagi, who is likely to partner him in the halves, for the international matches.

It shapes as the perfect apprenticeship for Talagi ahead of his arrival at Penrith, where he is expected to link up with superstar No.7 Nathan Cleary in the halves for the Panthers.

“He’ll be awesome at Penrith. I think anyone stepping into that system that’s willing to work hard and enhance their talent, they are going to be all right,” Luai said.

“We are here to represent something bigger than our own clubs now, we are representing on the world stage and representing a lot of people. But whatever he needs, I’m here.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Jarome Luai opens on future Tigers halves partner Lachlan Galvin, Panthers bound Blaize Talagi, captaining Samoa