Penrith Panthers unhappy at doctored photo of Jarome Luai in Wests Tigers colours

Jarome Luai got two big things right with his snap press conference to reveal his future. However, the Wests Tigers inflamed tensions with the Panthers over a crucial error.

Wests Tigers were forced to amend their social media post.

Jarome Luai got two big things right on Wednesday.

The first was that he fronted up and took ownership of his decision.

For too long, players have hidden behind carefully crafted press releases without genuinely taking responsibility for actions that can change their lives, transform clubs and bring joy or despair for fans.

Here was Luai, wearing a backwards Houston Astros baseball cap and white T-shirt, answering anything that came his way during the snap press conference at a hotel in Sydney’s CBD on Wednesday.

He didn’t hide from the fact that the money on the table from the Tigers was too good to refuse. Nor should he.

The Panthers were largely unaware the press conference was going to happen until late on Wednesday morning.

Canterbury – the other club in talks with Luai for 2025 – didn’t know either.

The Panthers could feel aggrieved that Luai was happily talking about joining a rival club.

But they shouldn’t. He did them a favour.

Jarome Luai and his father, Martin, address the media. Picture: Richard Dobson

Had Luai gone down the traditional press release route, the circus would have continued for not only the next couple of days, but weeks and even months until he spoke.

There would be camera crews and journalists chasing him at Penrith training on Thursday, trying to get him to explain his decision.

He has ended all that. Now, when asked about the Tigers, he can politely indicate that he has addressed all that and he won’t speak about his future club until his commitments with the Panthers has ended.

Which he and his Penrith teammates hope will be after grand final night on September 29.

Rather than hinder them, Luai’s press conference on Wednesday will help the Panthers on their path to that fourth straight premiership.

The Tigers did their best to inflame tensions between the already bitter rivals when they posted a mocked photo of Luai in his new club’s kit.

Penrith were not impressed by a doctored image which was posted on the Tigers’ social media accounts, and on their website, on Wednesday. It lasted a few hours before it was replaced.

The offending Tigers post.

And the refined version.

Luai joining the Tigers is also a massive win for the competition.

Tigers fans can have some genuine hope, even if things don’t turn around instantly in 2024. A spine consisting of Luai, Apisai Koroisau and Jahream Bula is enough to get even the most jaded Tigers fan interested again.

This move will define Luai’s career. He will either join a long list of highly paid players who have failed to deliver at the Tigers.

Or he could become a modern great.

He joked that he wanted five premiership rings in as many seasons at the Tigers.

Should he deliver one, he will step out of Nathan Cleary’s imposing shadow.

The Tigers faithful once thought they would jag a Panthers half.

Back then it was Cleary/Cleary combination.

But now it is the Luai/Marshall show.

Originally published as Penrith Panthers unhappy at doctored photo of Jarome Luai in Wests Tigers colours