Jarome Luai Confirms Long-Term Commitment to Wests Tigers
Jarome Luai has made it clear that his long-term future lies with the Wests Tigers, following the club’s decision to extend Benji Marshall’s contract. The team’s marquee star has provided his strongest indication yet that he will see out the five-year deal he signed after switching from Penrith before last season.
Luai’s future has been the subject of ongoing speculation due to a release clause in the $6 million deal that allows him to leave the Tigers after the 2026 NRL season. However, the four-time premiership-winning former Panther has stated that he has “no intention” of leaving.
The skipper is determined to restore the glory days to the success-starved Tigers and help end their 15-season finals drought. Luai believes that the club’s move to lock down Marshall as head coach until the end of the 2030 season is key to their resurgence and crucial in bringing stability to the club.
“Benji is a big part of why I’m here and a big part of why other boys made the move over,” Luai said about the coach. “There’s quite a bit of relief and confidence that the club’s going in the right direction and as players and as a team, we just need to go out there on the field and do our job.
“I’ve no intention of (leaving), I’m captain and leader of this team and I think these young boys need me. I’ve been good at shutting everyone else out and knowing what I want to do and I’m comfortable in these colours and I want to be here.”
Luai Embraces Return to No.6 Role at Tigers
Luai admits the pressure and weight of expectation around his $6 million move weighed on him during a debut season with the Tigers in 2025. He was also handed the No.7 role after playing in Nathan Cleary’s shadow for so long at Penrith, but will move back into his favoured position at five-eighth this season, with Adam Doueihi switching to halfback.
“At the end of the day, it’s just a number – I don’t think my role really changes in the team,” a bullish Luai said about the move. “I was coming here with the price tag, the expectation, the pressure.
“The team needs me to be at my best (and) I think that’s in the No.6 with an attacking mindset. I probably didn’t handle it as well as I would’ve liked (last season) but that’s why I’m here, bro. It’s why I made the move – it’s all about growth for me.”
Tigers’ Pre-Season Schedule and Upcoming Matches
The Tigers kick off their pre-season against the Roosters on Saturday afternoon before Luai faces his old Penrith side in their second trial on February 20. The Tigers have the bye in round one of the new NRL season, with a home game against the Cowboys on March 14 to open their new campaign.
