It ultimately comes down to basic economics. Luai is arguably the best NRL player available in the current 1st November cycle. I know some don't like him, but is there someone else you would propose? His winning record is elite (with and without Cleary) and he has 3 premiership rings to show for it. Ironically many of the things that people dislike about him are the things they would love about him if he was playing at their club. But I digress. The best available player is being courted by the worst avaialble club. If the first part of that statement regarding Luai is subjective, then surely the second is not. Two wooden spoons in a row pretty much closes the case on that one. So if he was to consider the Tiges, it would only be for an eye watering sum of money and probably locked in for 5 years. Why else would he go there? Sure, other things might sway his thinking - which team has most upside potential, does he like the coach, does he have old teammates he can hang with - but for him to leave the best club to head to the worst will only happen if Wests Tigers offer him a massive earn.
I don't know what the right amount is, but if they were prepared to go to $1.3-1.4M for Mitchell Moses, who has never won a premiership, then you have to assume they would go to that for Luai.
It will be an interesting one. Panthers have said they can't go beyond $800K, so even if they are bluffing it might be $900K for say 4 years, $3.6M. Compare that to the $1.2-1.4M that he might get open market, $4.8M-$5.6M for 4 years, that's a lot to turn your back on. If he does stay at Penrith for that much less, good on him. And for those that say it makes a mockery of the salary cap, I would say to them it simply highllights the importance of culture, connection and strong governance at a club. The dividend you get from that is talent at a lower price.
