Wests Tigers 2024

[greeneyed]

Wests Tigers halves logjam, roster uncertainty, emerging talent

Two straight wooden spoons, a get-out clause for an Origin star, a halves logjam, uncertainty around key forwards and an untried rookie coach. Wests Tigers have all the traits associated with a bottom-placed side, except one; a roster with plenty of upside.

Best 17

1 Jahream Bula
2 David Nofoaluma
3 Starford To’a
4 Josh Feledy/Brent Naden
5 Junior Tupou
6 Jayden Sullivan
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Stefano Utoikamanu
9 Apisai Koroisau
10 David Klemmer
11 John Bateman
12 Isaiah Papali’i
13 Fonua Pole

14 Tallyn Da Silva
15 Justin Matamua
16 Alex Twal
17 Shawn Blore

Read more: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 09fce87f68

[dubby]

Better spine than us

[greeneyed]

Jarome Luai makes Tigers switch official as Panthers star to join in 2025

Jarome Luai has confirmed he will move to the Wests Tigers for the 2025 season and beyond, putting an end to months of speculaton surrounding his future. The Penrith star revealed the news in a press conference in Darling Harbour after the Panthers reportedly waived the 10-day cooling off period.

Luai described the call to leave the Panthers as “probably the toughest decision of my career and probably life so far.”

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... ed0f439114

CLUB STATEMENT

Wests Tigers is delighted to announce the signing of star five-eighth Jarome Luai on a five-year deal.

The three-time premiership-winning playmaker will join the club at the end of next season.

Luai has played 107 games for the Panthers over six seasons, making his NRL debut in 2018.

The 26-year-old has helped Penrith to three consecutive grand final triumphs over the past three years, during which time he made seven State of Origin appearances for New South Wales.

Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall believes the addition of Luai will be great for the club.

“We are super excited to announce the signing of Jarome for the 2025 season on a five-year deal,” said Marshall.

“His experience as a genuine premiership-winning playmaker will be great for us and the future of our club.

“We love the way Jarome plays his footy and even better, he is a great person.

“We very much look forward to welcoming Jarome and his family to our club in 2025, but right now, season 2024 is our focus.”

Luai is excited about joining Wests Tigers but wants to focus on his final season at the Panthers.

Luai will make the move to Wests Tigers at the end of next season and reunite with a few of his former Panthers’ teammates Api Koroisau, Brent Naden, and Charlie Staines.

Wests Tigers media release

[-PJ-]

At least we can rest easy that Bunji won’t be sacked in 2024 awaiting Luai’s arrival.

[dubby]

Luai is a mug.

Yep. Can play.

See how he goes outside the Panthers system

[PerthRaider86]

and you watch schenider to slot into the 6 role at the panthers a kill it........

[Botman]

and you watch schenider to slot into the 6 role at the panthers a kill it........

He'd need to take quite a lot of steps forward to take on that role fulltime and succeed. He's in a very good environment to develop himself so its a good opportunity for him to put in the work this year and put his hand up for that spot in 2025.
Pulling for the bloke.

Re: the Tigers and Laui. Here is my prediction
He'll be generally good for them. He'll be a good signing who improves them.
He wont dramatically change their trajectory and that will prompt people who hate him to talk about how he cant play... and that will somewhat be fair because when you get that sort of money, you should be a player who changes a clubs trajectory.

He wont live up to that contract, i think there is 3-4 players in the league that could... but he will be a positive addition to that team.

[greeneyed]

I hope Brad does well. Interesting to see the Sydney media talking up Jack Cole as Luai's replacement: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 2ed161d2d0

[greeneyed]

Wests Tigers set to sign Justin Olam after Jarome Luai coup

Wests Tigers are set to land their second significant signing in as many days with PNG star Justin Olam closing in joining the club. The Tigers have been locked in prolonged on-again and off-again discussions with Olam but it looks like the two parties have finally agreed to a deal. Olam’s decision is expected to fast-track Shawn Blore’s exit from the Tigers. Blore has already agreed to join Melbourne when his contract expires at the end of 2024.

Read more: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... a89d2a0394

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 4d3e7412e2

[Botman]

I hope Brad does well. Interesting to see the Sydney media talking up Jack Cole as Luai's replacement: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport ... 2ed161d2d0

Schneider hasnt had an opportunity yet to get in that system and show what he's got, so that's the caveat there... maybe Schneider gets in there and just takes massive leaps and bounds and kills it
But i think the media is right to be point toward Cole as the panthers current plan. Good young player who fits what they need in terms of being a secondary left half next to Cleary