OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

[Tom Shines]

I suppose you could be a little bit philosophical about that and say that without the culture change brought about by Benji and Jerome we would not currently be in this position, we just need to get some contracts signed to lock up some of our players and my greatest fear is that HBG may be playing a part in preventing this from happening.

JL has been great for the teams culture and has played a part in signing players .., but two years later it’s now Benji primarily driving this ..

If HBG are sabotaging the team as you suggest … then it’s up to BM to speak out about it … no one else has the voice …

More likely on my opinion … players off contract come 2028 are waiting to see how much the new NRL Broadcast deal is …and the flow on to the salary cap and don’t want to commit too early

 

[Muffstar]

It's hard to believe that Luai's trip to PNG was not discussed with Benji and I'm sure it would have been discussed right down to the planning for 2028 onwards if it was decided that Jerome would take up an offer from the Chiefs.

I would think that he would have gone with Benji's blessing and the knowledge that this inspection tour could fit in with our current 10 day turn around and I'm sure that with Benji's family values he would support Jerome in his decision if he thought it was the best thing for the future of his family.

There are positives that come from this and many may argue that Jerome's on field performance has not matched his contract value but I don't think too many could argue that his value has been in other areas involving culture change.

As previously mentioned, if Jerome was to leave in 2028, apart from a boost to our available cap it gives us a lot more breathing space to plan for the future, possibly better than the current situation with Bula which is leaving us up in the air wondering what could happen and what stop gap measures we may need to put in place.

The downside to all of this is the argument about who else is going to leave, but I see this as irrelevant as with 2 new franchises coming on board over the next 2 seasons that was always going to be an issue for most NRL clubs.

The big difference now is that we are currently doing well with a number of players in very good form that previously may not have been targetted by these new franchises but now may be on the radar.

I suppose you could be a little bit philosophical about that and say that without the culture change brought about by Benji and Jerome we would not currently be in this position, we just need to get some contracts signed to lock up some of our players and my greatest fear is that HBG may be playing a part in preventing this from happening.

I heard on the radio this morning the Tigers were aware of Luai's trip to PNG, so it seems pretty transparent to all parties.

 

[TYGA]

To quote the great Kerry Packer ‘you only get one alan bond in your lifetime’

We wont be the only team impacted by an Australian Government funded geopolitical based NRL expansion.

Luai is the perfect face of the franchise for PNG. He will he 31 and sign a retirement deal which will set up his family. Tigers move on 2 years early.

NRL will back it as will the PNG government and corporates. I would be stunned if its not looked in this week.

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

It's hard to believe that Luai's trip to PNG was not discussed with Benji and I'm sure it would have been discussed right down to the planning for 2028 onwards if it was decided that Jerome would take up an offer from the Chiefs.

I would think that he would have gone with Benji's blessing and the knowledge that this inspection tour could fit in with our current 10 day turn around and I'm sure that with Benji's family values he would support Jerome in his decision if he thought it was the best thing for the future of his family.

There are positives that come from this and many may argue that Jerome's on field performance has not matched his contract value but I don't think too many could argue that his value has been in other areas involving culture change.

As previously mentioned, if Jerome was to leave in 2028, apart from a boost to our available cap it gives us a lot more breathing space to plan for the future, possibly better than the current situation with Bula which is leaving us up in the air wondering what could happen and what stop gap measures we may need to put in place.

The downside to all of this is the argument about who else is going to leave, but I see this as irrelevant as with 2 new franchises coming on board over the next 2 seasons that was always going to be an issue for most NRL clubs.

The big difference now is that we are currently doing well with a number of players in very good form that previously may not have been targetted by these new franchises but now may be on the radar.

I suppose you could be a little bit philosophical about that and say that without the culture change brought about by Benji and Jerome we would not currently be in this position, we just need to get some contracts signed to lock up some of our players and my greatest fear is that HBG may be playing a part in preventing this from happening.

It will be disappointing if it happens from the NRL romantic side of me but, like many fans on here, I see the positive in it & would not begrudge Luai doing it.

Yes we'd love Luai to finish his career with us given the impact he has had on the culture. But we have to be realistic about balancing the roster & salary cap too.

Luai going to PNG provides a transition plan for Latu Fainu into the halves, gives Javon Andrews time and a step closer to being a halves option once he has developed his game plus we have AD signed long-term and Madden as a viable back-up.

It gives us more cap space to plan for extensions for the May brothers & remaining Fainu brothers (Sam & Latu) plus potentially Tyrone May is seen as an option to join his brothers in 2028 for a couple of seasons as depth once his ESL contract expires.

If it does happen this week, I am sure the club led by Benji & Luai will present messages that show how it has all been handled professionally internally & Luai is as committed as ever for the rest of his contract.

 

[Tito Santana]

• He could also be headhunted in PNG. 🤣

Hopefully he is..

 

[vlad]

Only concern for me is if more of our players follow him there

But I can see where his best mate Brian To’o goes with him

 

[clontarfkid]

If he takes it...and I think he will..it will be Luai who makes more money out of NRL than any other player,in defiance of Gus/Galvin!!

 

[Pablo]

Media team deleting questions about Luai’s trip on the new Facebook video

 

[wstigers11]

What are you talking about ? You’ve been prattling on chicken little style since the news broke . May people have been offering intelligent , educated and well thought out responses and using specific players to explain why it’s not the end of the word . You keep prattling on that it is . THATS A BIAS!
Relax mate ! Is all we are saying . I genuinely believe with AD , KPP, and the Fainus by 2028 , as well as the May boys there’s a genuine leadership group there . Benji now knows what it takes with fitness , I can see a core group being able to fill the void . Not replace Romey , but step into that position and have new voices lead in thier own way . Samuela especially .

If this was the club’s plan all along why haven’t the Fainu’s and May’s been extended yet? It gives the club no bargaining power now.

 

[hammertime]

If HBG are sabotaging the team as you suggest … then it’s up to BM to speak out about it … no one else has the voice …

He's already hinted as much as he can in December about them when it would have been ripe for a crack. "The fans know".

He's not going to come out and further destabilise the club. Unfortunately, he has to be the leader in the absence of other true leaders at the club. He shouldn't be in that position, but he is.

Let's all hope HBG is not meddling anymore. PVL will be keeping an eye on it through Barry.

 

[Lestronge]

agree money wise he would be mad not to take it, it's his retirement club given he has won 4 premierships he doesnt owe anyone anything.
We can spread that cash around hopefully

Man it’s good you’ve come around . Better headspace to be in. I know it’s disappointing, but ultimately as much as we want him to be a tiger …. He’s really a panther . And that’s ok . Doesn’t mean he doesn’t love the club or anything . Just when it’s completely ride or die … do or don’t .. he’s gonna do him. And he’s earn the right imo .
I don’t begrudge him at all. I’d make the exact same choice .

 

[boonboon]

If this was the club’s plan all along why haven’t the Fainu’s and May’s been extended yet? It gives the club no bargaining power now.

Because we need to know what is happening with Jarome and Bula before the others get signed.

 

[Lestronge]

If this was the club’s plan all along why haven’t the Fainu’s and May’s been extended yet? It gives the club no bargaining power now.

They’re not off contract until the end of the year . The Bula and Toney contracts have an immediacy to them . They have to be done now . When the outcome of those are settled then we move to the others . Especially any that may be complex . AD was easy . Tino was easy . Twal was easy .
The May boys and Fainus are going to be complex because Samuela is gonna get around 800k , but really Latu shouldn’t get much of a pay bump just yet . Which is complicated . The May boys are looking at a similar scenario . Terrell should get a bump to 800k and Taylan should be staying roughly still . Then there’s all the intangibles like TPAs and perks , get out clauses etc. They’re focusing on the more complex ones whilst simultaneously doing the easy ones .
Also all those 5 guys have outwardly said they’re not leaving . Especially the Fainu boys as long as Benji is here . So there’s simply no immediacy around it . There’s 6 months between now and November 1st . That’s a long time my guy

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Is anyone planning on going over to Port Moresby to watch the Tigers play there ? I’ll go once

Bring RID or Bushman's insect repellant for use against anopheles' mosquitoes. Wear long lightweight trousers and shirt covering body especially at dawn or dusk. Malaria is a real threat and PNG acquired malaria is virulent, writing from experience. Tonic water with quinine will be your friend.

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

It will be disappointing if it happens from the NRL romantic side of me but, like many fans on here, I see the positive in it & would not begrudge Luai doing it.

Yes we'd love Luai to finish his career with us given the impact he has had on the culture. But we have to be realistic about balancing the roster & salary cap too.

Luai going to PNG provides a transition plan for Latu Fainu into the halves, gives Javon Andrews time and a step closer to being a halves option once he has developed his game plus we have AD signed long-term and Madden as a viable back-up.

It gives us more cap space to plan for extensions for the May brothers & remaining Fainu brothers (Sam & Latu) plus potentially Tyrone May is seen as an option to join his brothers in 2028 for a couple of seasons as depth once his ESL contract expires.

If it does happen this week, I am sure the club led by Benji & Luai will present messages that show how it has all been handled professionally internally & Luai is as committed as ever for the rest of his contract.

That sounds too logical to be the plan, but I can see how it makes sense…having Luai around 1 1/2 years can live with that….the only negative is we loose a player with pulling power…

 

[wstigers11]

Because we need to know what is happening with Jarome and Bula before the others get signed.

We offered Samuela & Makasini both 5 year deals at the start of the year.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Man it’s good you’ve come around . Better headspace to be in. I know it’s disappointing, but ultimately as much as we want him to be a tiger …. He’s really a panther . And that’s ok . Doesn’t mean he doesn’t love the club or anything . Just when it’s completely ride or die … do or don’t .. he’s gonna do him. And he’s earn the right imo .
I don’t begrudge him at all. I’d make the exact same choice .

I still prefer him in the team than not in the team for 26 and 27
we will need him come the big games

 

[Tom Shines]

He's already hinted as much as he can in December about them when it would have been ripe for a crack. "The fans know".

He's not going to come out and further destabilise the club. Unfortunately, he has to be the leader in the absence of other true leaders at the club. He shouldn't be in that position, but he is.

Let's all hope HBG is not meddling anymore. PVL will be keeping an eye on it through Barry.

I don’t believe they are meddling … hence why the part you clipped out … “its more likely ….” This point though ., if they were to be he needs to challenge it including publicly if need be … what’s he going to do otherwise .. just collect a pay check whilst the team goes down the tube… again

Bring RID or Bushman's insect repellant for use against anopheles' mosquitoes. Wear long lightweight trousers and shirt covering body especially at dawn or dusk. Malaria is a real threat and PNG acquired malaria is virulent, writing from experience. Tonic water with quinine will be your friend.

Thanks .. I have travelled six months in Africa back in the day … so I have some experience with preventing malaria … but you are correct .. no half measures about it

 

[TigerJunior4]

I want Luai to stay but him leaving probably makes sense. He can pick up $2.2 million a year (reportedly) and it’s tax free.

If I was in his situation I’d take that money every day of the week. Especially at the back end of his career after winning four premierships.

As others have said, he’ll be here for next year (most likely), and leaving opens up opportunities for the Tigers. Madden, Andrews can be extended with Andrews given an extra year to develop. We can shift AD to 5/8, bring Latu into the starting side, extend/upgrade off contract players or go to market with extra money.

Luai has helped restore pride in our jersey and changed the culture at this club. Again I’d love for him to stay but wouldn’t begrudge for taking the money.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Only concern for me is if more of our players follow him there

There’s zero indication to think this will be the case. It’s not even a given he’s going anywhere yet. Doubt he’ll be the first player to go over there to check things out.