OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

[Buttface]

I'm one of Luai's biggest supporters here...

But this cryptic post has me questioning whether he is a mature leader... What did he tell them? Who did he tell? Did he tell Benji to play Latu? Did he tell the boys to make sure they didn't take the dragons easy?

For a supporter base already struggling, this isnt the sort of post you expect from a leader.

When I see this sort of post I feel like an idiot for buying into his lip service.

View attachment 40083

I’ve retired my JL signed hat avatar.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I’m not gunna be pounding the table for Nikorina … but is the thinking that he will be the primary 14 covering hooker and halves on the bench …also Api is out a lot and whilst I like Latu, he is made of glass

Where has the whole talk of Nikorima come from?

We need some reality around this ...

1 Why would he come to the WT to play 14 when Dolphins could offer him a similar arrangement?
2 Super League will offer bigger $$$ and more years than what we would anyway.

 

[diedpretty]

Luai has lost a lot of respect around here, myself included. Whether long term this is better for the club or not, we can debate until the cows come home...

But I find it bemusing that you and Vicious have bought up HBG, because their hands aren't clean in this.

Luai was ready to remove his clauses in December 2025. He would have been a tiger until 2029. This means no PNG signing. This means the tigers wouldnt be letting him go after 2026.

So whilst there has been many moving parts in what has happened, it all started with the boardroom chaos back in 2025.

And before you come at me, you brought them up, not me.

i didn't bring them up at all - the haters were at it pages before my post. I just find it laughable that certain people on here just jump straight to the conclusion that this was all HBGs doing.

 

[innsaneink]

I’ve retired my JL signed hat avatar.

Haha i was thinking about this yesterday lol
Good move

 

[mtd#2]

i didn't bring them up at all - the haters were at it pages before my post. I just find it laughable that certain people on here just jump straight to the conclusion that this was all HBGs doing.

It obviously wasn't a HBG director sitting in a dark corner with a plot, which is the point you were making. So fair enough mate. But they are part of the reason why it's happening.

 

[innsaneink]

Where has the whole talk of Nikorima come from?

We need some reality around this ...

Nowhere really...just 1 person thinking out loud...a fleeting thought

 

[Tom Shines]

Where has the whole talk of Nikorima come from?

We need some reality around this ...

1 Why would he come to the WT to play 14 when Dolphins could offer him a similar arrangement?
2 Super League will offer bigger $$$ and more years than what we would anyway.

I saw it mentioned from Coach Adel last night … he is the one podcast source that has some clout in my view … knows people both within the Tigers from his time coaching here , and apparently says he heard it from the Dolphins side as well…

Like any rumour though - feel free to take it or leave it

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Nowhere really...just 1 person thinking out loud...a fleeting thought

I'm not underestimating the progress of Haywood onto the NRL bench next season. A big pre-season continuing to work on his body & strength, this kid will kill it off the bench relieving Api.

Not only that, he is a very good half which often gets overlooked (so could easily slot into halves at times off the bench with AD or Latu pinch-hitting at lock late in halves next season).

I don't think we would consider Nikorima because we have Haywood coming through quickly.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

I saw it mentioned from Coach Adel last night … he is the one podcast source that has some clout in my view … knows people both within the Tigers from his time coaching here , and apparently says he heard it from the Dolphins side as well…

Like any rumour though - feel free to take it or leave it

I love Nikorima as a player & be great at the Tigers, just don't think he will be on our radar.

Think our primary need now to fill what we don't have with some extra $$$ is a starting prop partner for Terrell who brings experience, leadership, intensity, aggression & leg speed. Pole has proven he is not ready & better off the bench as is Sione Fainu.

Yes a Spencer Leniu or Moses Leota but they may still be unrealistic!

 

[Tom Shines]

I love Nikorima as a player & be great at the Tigers, just don't think he will be on our radar.

Think our primary need now to fill what we don't have with some extra $$$ is a starting prop partner for Terrell who brings experience, leadership, intensity, aggression & leg speed. Pole has proven he is not ready & better off the bench as is Sione Fainu.

Yes a Spencer Leniu or Moses Leota but they may still be unrealistic!

Again ..I’m not advocating for Nikorima …

We need a back up hooker ..it’s been one of our biggest weaknesses all year , and they still haven’t done anything…

How much is he likely to cost ? He’ll be 33 in April

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Again ..I’m not advocating for Nikorima …

We need a back up hooker ..it’s been one of our biggest weaknesses all year , and they still haven’t done anything…

How much is he likely to cost ? He’ll be 33 in April

Josese has a big opportunity over the next 4-5 weeks. Think Benji will see how he goes before looking outside yet. I know his no experience at NRL level but I personally think Bailey Hodges is a hidden gem in our ranks.

Tyson Smoothy reportedly wants to return to Australia so he could be a value utility. Not too many of them around & available with NRL experience unfortunately.

 

[weststigers]

If Latu and AD are injured that's what Madden and Andrew's are for depth..... you don't need to sign 5-6 halves in a squad that's just dumb.

I like how you've changed 5 halves to 5 or 6. I don't think anyone is advocating for 6 halves. Would it be ok to stop exaggerating? I don't want to tell you what to do...that's why I am asking politely.

So you would not carry a half on the extended bench? That is 3 halves per NRL match and 2 in cup = 5.

Or are you saying only go into a game with 2 halves and have zero cover with your 2 depth halves in Cup?

Or are you saying 3 halves per NRL match and 1 depth in Cup and one guy who is not good enough to play NRL in cup?

What is your suggestion? Walk me through your logic. Remember, I am dumb, so you'll need to spell out your position for me.

 

[TonyTiger]

Commenting where

Luai has lost a lot of respect around here, myself included. Whether long term this is better for the club or not, we can debate until the cows come home...

But I find it bemusing that you and Vicious have bought up HBG, because their hands aren't clean in this.

Luai was ready to remove his clauses in December 2025. He would have been a tiger until 2029. This means no PNG signing. This means the tigers wouldnt be letting him go after 2026.

So whilst there has been many moving parts in what has happened, it all started with the boardroom chaos back in 2025.

And before you come at me, you brought them up, not me.

I’m sick of hearing “Luai was ‘ready’ to remove his clauses”
—- Shoulda Woulda Coulda!! .. all hear-say
I believe this was diatribe coming from Shane Richardson on the way out, after being dudded by HBG.
Btw: The Daily Telegraph is also not the Bible

 

[Tom Shines]

Josese has a big opportunity over the next 4-5 weeks. Think Benji will see how he goes before looking outside yet. I know his no experience at NRL level but I personally think Bailey Hodges is a hidden gem in our ranks.

Tyson Smoothy reportedly wants to return to Australia so he could be a value utility. Not too many of them around & available with NRL experience unfortunately.

We have a lot of inexperience in key positions now … and Luai is moving on ..: we need more seniority at the team for the next couple of years

 

[mtd#2]

I’m sick of hearing “Luai was ‘ready’ to remove his clauses”
—- Shoulda Woulda Coulda!! .. all hear-say
I believe this was diatribe coming from Shane Richardson on the way out, after being dudded by HBG.
Btw: The Daily Telegraph is also not the Bible

I know it to be true. The same way Bula was about to re-sign at the time, before then entertaining offers from other clubs post the HBG board fall out.
You can deny it all you want, but the fallout now is connected to the owners incompetentcy to run a football club.

P.S. King Richo Tony!!!

 

[jirskyr]

Regardless of whether you think Luai was good for the club or should be released early, the club has handled this situation so poorly.

Good clubs don’t let things like this distract them from winning games. But as soon as there’s tension or adversity at the Wests Tigers the joint implodes. It speaks to a rotten, toxic culture at the club.

The club has completely let it derail the season, failed to resolve simmering tensions and re-focus on winning football games and now all this shit is playing out in the media.

Yet another contract circus involving the Wests Tigers.

On this particular issue I have no idea what you expect Tigers to do. It's all played out in a civil manner, but Luai is a social media monster, he doesn't do anything without posting about it - be that leaving Penrith, criticising former team-mates, signing for other clubs or accepting early releases.

Of all the trades Tigers have made I actually find the Luai one to be one of the best-handled. He was signed for a reason (avoid spoon, marquee reputation, rebuild, player magnet, professional demeanour, cleanskin), those reasons are resolved and we appear to be parting amicably.

We only got him here by allowing him to have release clauses - that's a Richo move - and he fairly exercised those release clauses. And actually, most fans are OK with him exercising those clauses.

That's not the reason the season fell away, injuries and lack of depth explain the season. I simply don't believe any team is so brittle, that one player announced he is leaving in 2 years and that explains a sudden run of losses.

 

[jirskyr]

“Gods plan”

🤣🤣

I didn't know God was a Chiefs man

 

[TonyTiger]

I know it to be true. The same way Bula was about to re-sign at the time, before then entertaining offers from other clubs post the HBG board fall out.
You can deny it all you want, but the fallout now is connected to the owners incompetentcy to run a football club.

P.S. King Richo Tony!!!

 

[jirskyr]

It means they are happy he is going because of his big ego and lies "im here for life bro" only ones defending him are his circle jerk group in this forum.

I don't think so. It could be as much supportive as anything.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

That's not the reason the season fell away, injuries and lack of depth explain the season. I simply don't believe any team is so brittle, that one player announced he is leaving in 2 years and that explains a sudden run of losses.

It’s also a cop out. Almost akin to blaming the ref. And it’s two years in a row the excuse has been wheeled out. Last year with Galvin, we were told the playing group was unified after he left, but the fact we were losing was due to him leaving. Now it’s happening all over again. Another aspect of the loop that the club and its supporters are forever stuck in.