OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

www.smh.com.au

How watching a game of footy with the PNG PM sealed the deal for Luai

The prime minister of PNG joined the charm offensive to recruit Jarome Luai, and not even a social media sideshow featuring Alex Johnston could detract from the Chiefs’ landmark signing.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au

Can someone post this full article?

It really shows what an amazing personality and human being Luia is. I'm so happy with his contribution to our club and the way he had managed things.

Let's respond to his move with appreciation and class.

Let's come out across the social platforms with a positive response. Booing just brings people down, let's cheer for him an lift him to the great 18 months left - that's two potential finals series. God I would take that.
 
So...I've had some more time to process Jerome leaving.

All in all I'm not that disappointed with him going. Did he go against his word? We'll kind of, but it's business, and by the time he leaves we'll be ready for him to go. Benji would have learnt a lot from the Galvin situation; you can't really take what anyone says on face value, and you need to plan for all scenarios, which I think the club has done really well in this instance.

I also feel like the club aren't that disappointed Jerome is going. It's probably unfair to compare Jerome's performances with the Tigers with those at the Panthers; team is totally different and at different stages of their development, but I do feel that Jerome's style of play isn't the "perfect" fit for us. He has flair and is unpredictable, but he's a tough player to run outside of and those combinations have taken time to develop.

It seems to me that they had a suspicion that wouldn't stay. They signed Doueihi a few months back, out of nowhere, until 2029. I thought that was random at the time but didn't think too much of it at the time, especially given our halves depth.

Finally, Jerome knows who's coming through. He knows the club will be in good hands at the end of 27, so it makes sense for him to go then.

P.S - Jerome suggesting that he'd be happy to come back through NSW cup was an odd one. I could be reading in a little, but Benji did make the call to move Luai out of 7, and maybe Luai isn't as confident as the bravado suggests. He's human, after all.

For the record I love what Jerome has done; I'm a little said to see him go but I don't think him leaving is going to stop our progress.
 
They signed Twal and AD extensions around the same time Chammas was appointed to PNG … had Chammas already been talking to Luai at that stage ?

The story at the time was that both were training the house down over the off season and Benji wanted them locked down … that part is true looking at their game this year
 
I just heard on the radio up here in taree, that the cheifs had their launch in Sydney this morning, please don't tell me this club allowed them to parade luai out in a PNG jumper, anyone know if that was the case?
 
Spacecub said:
I just heard on the radio up here in taree, that the cheifs had their launch in Sydney this morning, please don't tell me this club allowed them to parade luai out in a PNG jumper, anyone know if that was the case?
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I’m watching it now …. Luai isn’t there..

Listening to them describe him though …Im not sure they haven’t actually signed Wally Lewis in his prime
 
Spacecub said:
I just heard on the radio up here in taree, that the cheifs had their launch in Sydney this morning, please don't tell me this club allowed them to parade luai out in a PNG jumper, anyone know if that was the case?
Click to expand...
Getting a bit carried away now. He still has over a season and a half to go here.
 
hank37w said:
It will be interesting to see how many, if any players head to PNG on an all expenses paid trip during our bye round mid to late May.

Would the club have to give players permission for players to go and have a look to satisfy their curiosity, would it be better to allow them to go and have a look rather than stop it.

I can see pros and cons on both sides of that argument how appropriate would it be being named - Buy round. 🤣
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Or bye bye round
 
We signed Luai to be a no7 that ran the show. That’s why we forked out massive overs. He obviously has contributed to our club in many ways, but he was not that controlling half we wanted. Luckily AD and Jock M have been able to take on that role for a lot less dollars. We have been paying and will continue to pay a lot of money for a hard nosed, hard working, running no6. Hopefully come 2028 our cap will be better balanced
 
Tom Shines said:
I agree with the sentiments around Luai the player … I still think he can play a part in success here over the next 18 months ..

I don’t buy this “enticing other players “ stuff and it looks like Benji doesn’t either …

These are grown men .. some with families … they will make their own decisions at the end of the day about a move like this .. it isn’t moving up the road to Belmore …
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He will do his job for us for 18 months I have no doubt, Also why assume everyone wants to follow Luai , a PNG compound is not for everyone that's for sure.
 
Demps said:
Looking off what's available;
How's this for a potential chiefs team?

1. Chevy Stewart
2. Brian To'o
3. Isaac Tago
4. Zac Laybutt
5. Alex Johnston
6. Jarome Luai
7. Jett Cleary
8. Jackson Ford
9. Mitchell Kenny
10. Junior Paulo
11. Liam Martin
12. Jermaine McCewan
13. Connor Watson

14. Trent Toelau
15. Luron Patea
16. Lazarus Vaalepu
17. Cooper Bai
Click to expand...

Great team. Anyone else in fantasy land?
 
supercoach said:
We signed Luai to be a no7 that ran the show. That’s why we forked out massive overs. He obviously has contributed to our club in many ways, but he was not that controlling half we wanted. Luckily AD and Jock M have been able to take on that role for a lot less dollars. We have been paying and will continue to pay a lot of money for a hard nosed, hard working, running no6. Hopefully come 2028 our cap will be better balanced
Click to expand...
Without Clearly - Luai was a nobody. I mean Cleary
 
Oscar Martinez said:
Of course he came for the money but all players change clubs for the money, even the ones who people naively believe don't.
That's not a character flaw, that' the society we all live in. We all do it.
That doesn't in any way diminish how he's resurrected this club from the depths of despair.
His dislike will only grow amongst those who already dislike him, the rest of us appreciate what he's done for the club.
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I like how he gets all the credit with some people.
AD has been just as influential I’d suggest and having two sets of brothers in the top squad also helps along with the coach’s reputation as a player.
 
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