PARRAMATTA-bound star Jarome Luai says it took him time to process being unwanted by the Wests Tigers, but he is now fully supportive of the NRL club’s decision to offload him after 2026.
A surprisingly jovial Luai said on Thursday it was “a bit of a shock” to be told he could explore his options for next season, just 18 months into his lucrative move to the Tigers.
The joint-venture club is now prioritising younger halves prospects for next year. This shift comes as the Tigers’ form has dipped since Luai announced he would be joining the expansion side, PNG Chiefs, for the 2028 season.
Luai would not address his upcoming stopover with the rebuilding Parramatta Eels. The Eels confirmed this week that the five-eighth will partner halfback Mitch Moses in the halves in 2027.
“I’m not at Parra yet, bro,” Luai said. “I’ll answer those questions November 1 or when our season’s done, but out of respect for my club and the lads, I’m still a Wests Tigers player.”
Luai originally arrived at the Tigers last season after winning four premierships with the Penrith Panthers. He was considered a vital piece in the puzzle to rebuild the long-time strugglers. Instead, he will likely leave without having played finals football for the club. The Tigers enter round 20 sitting in 13th place on the ladder with a 7-10 record.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall explained earlier this week that keeping Luai for another season, only to farewell him for 2028, could have hampered the progress of younger players. Up-and-coming halves Latu Fainu and Javon Andrews are both currently stuck behind Luai for starting opportunities in the first-grade side.
Luai said he still had “the utmost respect” for Marshall, but admitted he was blindsided when told of the club’s plans.
“It was a bit of a shock, I’ll be honest with you,” Luai said. “But as a player, our game at this level is a business and the faster the athlete is able to comprehend that, the better understanding they have of where and why these decisions are made.
“It’s human to feel an emotion and then slowly process it and understand why things happen. I’m a man, I’m a man just like you, bro. I’m not going to lie, it did take a bit of time to process.”
“I’m fully supportive of the club. Without opportunity, those guys can’t prosper. The last thing I wanted to be was a roadblock for another man’s success, so fully supportive of the club,” Luai added whilst reflecting on the young talent coming through the ranks.
The Tigers had been pondering Luai’s early release for the past four to five weeks, but the wider NRL world only learned of the plans when the news broke last week. Luai said it had been “tough” to be at the centre of intense media scrutiny and speculation.
“That’s the word we live in these days,” he said.
“Everyone has an opinion and I think sometimes everyone thinks their opinion is important because it’s there for the world to see and hear.”
The Tigers have won only two of their last 10 games since Luai became the PNG Chiefs’ inaugural signing for their foundation season.
The 29-year-old stated that if his impending move had become a distraction, that was his own mistake.
“I’ve never shied away from responsibility and accountability. If it’s on me, it’s on me, I’ll wear that burden,” he said. “The best thing I can do now is put my best foot forward for the lads.”
Source: Australian Associated Press