Jarome Luai's admission about Nathan Cleary as Wests Tigers star responds to early exit fears

Jarome Luai says his love of a challenge and determination to step out of Nathan Cleary's shadow were major factors behind his big-money move to the Wests Tigers. And the marquee signing insists he's in for the long haul amid fears Luai could use player options in his new deal and walk from the Tigers after just two years, despite signing a five-year deal, $6 million deal.

Luai concedes he played "second fiddle" to Cleary at the Panthers, with the star halves pair helping the club to four straight NRL premierships. But the 27-year-old says he's excited about being the main man at the Tigers, who will be hoping Luai's class and experience will bring back success to Benji Marshall's side and help them avoid a fourth straight wooden spoon.

“To sort of knock it on the head everyone just saw it (the Tigers offer) as a great deal to take, for me I love a challenge, I am a competitive dude,” Luai said on the ‘Behind the Roar’ podcast. “My wife will tell you at home I don’t let my kids win anything when we’re mucking around out the back. I’m a really competitive guy and if someone tells me I can’t do something that makes me want to push for it even more in a way.

“So yeah... I love a challenge and for me as a footy player I want to see how good I can be. There (at the Panthers) I was always the second fiddle guy, I was never going to be that guy. When this opportunity came up, this was a way to show people how good I can be, and what better way to do it than come here and show what I’m made of.”

Luai has moved to shut down his chances of returning to Penrith after just two years as he undergoes pre-season training with his new teammates. Luai joined Marshall and the Tigers last week for the first time after his big-money move.

Plenty has been made of Luai's signing with the likes of Terrell May, Sunia Turuva and Royce Hunt also joining the wooden spoon outfit in a huge $4 million splash. However, Penrith fans became excited recently when it was revealed Luai could leave the Tigers after just two years because the final three years of his deal are 'player options'.

Panthers fans could see the possibility of Luai returning to Penrith if things don't go to plan at the Wests Tigers. This is despite a salary cap squeeze at the NRL premiers making this appear unlikely.

And the player himself has now quelled expectations as he starts to build a relationship with his new teammates. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Luai claimed his management was only looking after him as a player and he was committed to the Tigers and bringing success their way.

“That was negotiated by my management team,” Luai said. “If you have a good agent then their best interest is the player. I’m locked into the club and bringing success to this team. If you’re a Tigers fan be excited for years to come. I’m all in. That’s the kind of man I’ve been.”

Jarome Luai starts Wests Tigers training early

Luai shocked fans when he turned up to Tigers training earlier than expected. Luai missed the start of pre-season under coach Marshall because he opted to take part in Samoa's tour to England. Luai led Samoa as halfback, but was unable to get a win against a strong England outfit in the two-game series.

Regardless, there were talks Luai wouldn't return until 2025 after a long year, which has included plenty of representative footy. Although Luai opted to jump back into training to help build his partnership with young Tigers five-eighth Lachlan Galvin.

“(I came early) to get to know the boys. January seemed a bit short to where the season starts. I wanted to show the boys I mean business and start early," he told the publication. “I don’t want to say that I want to be captain. It’s not a driving factor for me. We have a great captain in Apisai (Koroisau) and I’m really happy to be under him.”

Jarome Luai's 'players option' questioned

While there was plenty made of Luai's three players option in his contract, reporter Peter Lang quelled expectations around a return and claimed Luai has ended up where he is because of his determination to succeed. "A lot of Panthers supporters have renewed hope that Jarome Luai will return to Penrith due to a clause in his contract which will allow him to leave the Tigers after two years if he wants to," Lang wrote on social media.

"My personal opinion is that Luai will never return to the Panthers...he's not a quitter." And after explaining Luai's determination to prove himself at the Tigers should be enough for him to see out his contract, Lang also explained the Panthers' salary cap situation would make it hard to bring him back.

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Tigers fans are finally excited for a new season with a halfback and a number of forwards joining the club in some much needed recruitment. The Tigers have splashed out nearly around $4 million on new signings. And while many, including the likes of Phil Gould, are predicting the Tigers to soar up the ladder it could also spell disaster for Marshall if things don't go right.

Marshall was expected to improve the Tigers in 2024 and while they may have played slightly better footy, they still finished last. And the coach has been warned if things don't improve in 2025 he could be facing extra pressure.