New Wests Tigers recruit Jarome Luai has shown Benji Marshall and fans why they have spent the big bucks to bring him to the club after he rocked up to pre-season training a week early. Luai was signed from the Panthers on a mega $6 million deal across five years to make him one of the highest-paid players in the NRL. The Samoan international is coming off three-straight premierships with Penrith, but made the move from Penrith for his family with the Tigers offering him a much bigger deal. And Tigers fans are already excited for his combination in the halves with promising talent Lachlan Galvin. Marshall copped a blow to his pre-season preparations when Luai opted to play for Samoa against England in the post-NRL tour. This meant he would have to wait to link up with his new teammates due to the required time off required for international players. And Luai, along with fellow recruits Sunia Turuva, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird, joined Tigers training on Tuesday ahead of schedule. The Tigers have been lacking leaders for years having finished last three years running. Although there appears to be a changing of the guard at the Tigers with the signing of Luai prompting renewed hope the team can change its fortunes. Luau is also speculated to have had a hand in persuading Terrell May to join the club. The forward was not wanted by the Roosters heading into 2025 and made the switch over to join his Samoan teammate. Marshall will now be able to get to work on his new halves combination with Galvin only going to benefit from more time with Luai ahead of the new season. Luai's intention also shows his willingness to become a leader at the Tigers, which echoes a sentiment that he won't be taking up any reported 'player option' in his contact.
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