Luai's father puts heat on Tigers with deleted post

Jarome Luai's father, Martin, has sent Wests Tigers fans into a frenzy with a now-deleted social media post shared to his Instagram. Following the Wests Tigers' heavy 64-0 loss to the Storm, Martin took a jab at the team's lacklustre performance. Despite making five fewer errors than their rivals and conceding the same number of penalties, the Tigers struggled to find their rhythm in attack, and their defence was exposed, leaking 11 unanswered tries. In an Instagram story, Martin referenced the get-out clause reportedly included in the five-year deal that Luai signed with the joint venture ahead of the 2025 season. "Get out clause activated," he wrote alongside the sideways eyes and facepalming emojis. The halfback's contract reportedly includes an option that would allow him to hit the open market as early as November 1 this year and potentially depart the club after just two seasons rather than five. Luai will become a free agent following his first season at the Wests Tigers with player options in the final three years of his contract. With Luai permitted to exit if things do not work out with the West Tigers in the way he had hoped, his father's post will do little to lift the spirits of supporters. However, the four-time premiership player has previously pledged to help the team off the bottom of the ladder. Speaking in January, Luai acknowledged the reports about the get-out option but said he was unbothered by the speculation. "When it came out [in the media], I hadn't even played a game in the colours yet, and I'm already getting spoken about. But I'm used to that already and it doesn't faze me at all," he said. "I've got a point to prove here, not to anyone else but to myself, and I want to see what I can do on the field with these boys."

Have Penrith found Luai's replacement?

Move over Nathan Cleary. The Panthers have a new match-winner in the Jarome Luai mould to take the pressure off Cleary for the rest of the season. Blaize Talagi wasn't selected for the first two games this season, but since he got his chance he's been improving by the week. And the former Eel, still only 20 years old, came of age in Saturday night's classic 30-all draw with the Cowboys in Townsville. Talagi laid on four of the Panthers' five tries and scored the other while Cleary was happy to sit back and let his junior partner run the show. It was a similar understanding to the one Cleary had with Luai - and is a great sign for the Panthers for the tough road ahead.

'Love playing with the kid': Luai hits back at Galvin question

Lachlan Galvin has opened up on his return to the Wests Tigers, admitting he'd rather be at Leichhardt as opposed to Lidcombe Oval after starring in the side's win. Galvin's comments came before Jarome Luai spoke in his press conference, stating "I love playing with the kid". The five-eighth was selected by Benji Marshall for the Sharks match after being dropped to NSW Cup the week before following his management's decision to reject a contract offer. The contract call sparked a major fallout with a legal letter issued to the Tigers. However, Galvin put all the behind him and had a massive impact on the fixture, contributing with a try assist early. Speaking to Nine's Emma Lawrence post-game, Galvin described it a "one of the best wins I've been apart of". "I'll be honest, I'd rather be here than at Lidcombe on a Sunday. It was a great win and it's great to come out here and win in front of our fans and I can't be more grateful to be out here with the NRL team again and I loved it," he said. With suspense building over whether Tigers fans would boo Galvin, the five-eighth received nothing of the like. The 19-year-old said there were no nerves. "I don't really get nervous, more excited. I just wanted to get in the game, get in the rhythm of the game, get back into first grade, that's all I really wanted," he said. "It wasn't about me, it was about the team this week and that's what we wanted, to come out and win like we did. To nail that at the end was amazing." After the interview, Galvin embraced coach Marshall, in a big indication there's still a lot of appreciation between the two despite the five-eighth's main reason for leaving being his desire to develop under a different coach. Post-match, Marshall described Galvin's performance as "great". "He just went out and played footy, which is what he's always done," he said. "From that first try that he set up, that calmed the nerves and got everyone into the game and focused on footy." Sitting next to Marshall was Luai. The Tigers halfback posted 'team first' on his Instagram story after news broke of Galvin's intention to departure. The former Panthers star declared he's excited to play alongside Galvin for the rest of the season. "Yeah 100 per cent. Not once have I said that I don't like to play with him, I love playing with the kid, I love what he brings to our team, I love this club and I love this team and I think we all showed that, we love this jersey as well," he said. "I'm proud of the boys and hopefully this builds on throughout the year."

Deja Vu for the Tigers

Exactly 20 years ago, a magnificent spine of halves Scott Prince and Benji Marshall, fullback Brett Hodgson and hooker Robbie Farah combined to deliver Wests Tigers the unlikeliest of premierships. A 150-1 shot early in the season in the bookies' eyes, the Tigers stormed home to take the title in memorable style. It's been lean pickings since then - but suddenly the Tigers have found a spine to match the heady days of 2005. Halves Lachlan Galvin and Jarome Luai, hooker Api Koroisau and fullback Jahream Bula were all superb as the Tigers thrashed a lethargic Parramatta 32-6. With the quartet calling the shots, the Tigers played magnificent attacking football reminiscent to that used by Tim Sheens in that wonderful winter two decades ago. 

Slater floats Tigers 'swap' after $6m Luai signing

NRL legend Billy Slater believes there could be a "swap" between new-look Wests Tigers halves pairing Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin this season. In the biggest move of the off-season, Luai moved to Concord on a multi-year deal, with the club investing plenty of money in Penrith's four-time premiership winner - said to be $6m over the length of the deal. The 28-year-old starred alongside Nathan Cleary during his time at the Panthers, but will have a whole new challenge ahead of him with the wooden spooners. Luai will wear the No.7 jumper and link up with young gun Galvin, who was a rare shining light for the joint venture in 2024, to form a quality halves combination. But according to Slater, there could be more than meets the eye between them. "It wouldn't surprise me if they actually swap positions and Galvin actually played that halfback role," he said on Nine's Billy Slater Podcast. "He's a real on-baller, he likes to be involved, while Luai has probably played his best football just sitting off a little bit, like when he plays with Nathan Cleary. "They mightn't swap the numbers, but they might swap roles of who is more dominant." Slater also argued the Tigers had "nearly the best spine in the comp" but stopped short of echoing Shane Richardson's comments last year that it held top billing. As for their hopes of featuring in September for the first time in 15 years, Slater believes the Tigers can make it happen in Benji Marshall's second full season at the helm. "I absolutely think they can," he said. "It's up to them and obviously everyone has got the optimistic view of playing finals at this time of year ... I think they really can play finals." Marshall's men will kick off their campaign against the Knights on March 8.

Luai’s journey from larrikin to leader

Api Koroisau remembers Jarome Luai as an “immature larrikin” when they first met five years ago, but he could always tell that his good friend would develop into the leader he is now and the main reason why Wests Tigers fans are confident the tough times are over. Luai and Sunia Turuva are a couple of the key signings for the Tigers in 2025, with the former Panthers stars bringing experience, confidence and a winning edge that has been missing at a club that has claimed three-straight wooden spoons. While Luai is no longer the chief energy officer he was at the Panthers, he’s earnt his new role as co-captain in a sign Benji Marshall and club bosses see him as the man who can reshape their future. The four-time premiership winner captained Samoa during their tour of England last year and has developed into a tremendous leader on and off the field, which is slightly different to Koroisau’s first memories with Luai at Penrith. “He’s changed so much since when I first met him back in 2020,” the Tigers hooker said. “When I first met him, he was really young and absolutely loving life and really immature, which is a good thing because I’m also immature. “His footy IQ and the way he’s able to convey his ideas or what he thinks we should do is incredible. “The way he walked into the place, he knew that he had to change things at this club. He’s come in and he hasn’t held back. Everyone looks up to him and loves him. “I think everyone needs to get that early immaturity out of their system. “He was always smart. He never came off as smart because he was always mucking around, but if you ever got him one-on-one, you noticed he was quite intelligent, articulate and you could see that he was going to go into that leadership direction. “To see the way he’s done it (has been great). He hasn’t been shy about anything. If he needs to say something then he will, and that takes real leadership and courage.” There’s a different feel at the Tigers this pre-season, with no outlandish predictions coming from the players who are purely focused on ticking off daily targets. The mood around the club hasn’t been great over the years, with players leaving, coaches moving on and wins hard to come by, but the energy feels a lot different thanks to Luai and Turuva who have been just as loud as they were in Penrith. “The vibes have been great,” Koroisau said.

Luai thrust into new role alongside ex-teammate

Jarome Luai will move straight into a leadership role with the Wests Tigers after being announced as one of the club's co-captains for 2025. A four-time premiership winner with Penrith, the 28-year-old has inked a long-term deal with the joint venture and joins Api Koroisau as a captain for the upcoming season. In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Luai expressed his gratitude towards his new club for giving him the responsibility straight out of the gates. "Being named captain of the Tigers with Api is an honour I don't take lightly," he said. "Api has set an incredible standard as a leader, and I'm excited to work alongside him again and contribute to building something special here. "I am grateful to the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity and I want to make my family, the team, our members and sponsors proud." Luai enjoyed a career-best season with the Panthers in 2024, stepping up in Nathan Cleary's absence and steering the side around the park. The playmaker will now become the main man at the Tigers in a role that head coach Benji Marshall thinks he can relish in the long-term. "Api has been a phenomenal leader for this club over the past two years, and his respect within the team is second to none," Marshall said. "Adding Jarome's passion and creativity to our leadership structure makes this partnership really exciting. Together, they bring a balance of stability and flair that will drive our team forward in 2025." Luai and Koroisau previously played together at the Panthers. The side kicks off its campaign against the Knights on March 7.

Jarome Luai in telling pre-season move for Benji Marshall as 'player option' fears shut down

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.

Jarome Luai could return to Panthers in shock new reveal about $6 million Wests Tigers contract

Jarome Luai is free to leave the Wests Tigers after just two years of his contract in a staggering new revelation about his five-year deal. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday night that only two years of Luai's five-year contract are actually guaranteed, and the other three are 'player options'. It means the five-eighth will definitely be at the Tigers in 2025 and 2026, but after that he's free to opt out of his contract if he can find a new club. According to the SMH, former Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe was firmly against allowing Luai to sign a contract with three years of player options, but new boss Shane Richardson ticked off on it when he replaced Pascoe. It's the same sort of clause that Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown have in their long-term contracts with the Parramatta Eels. It's believed the Tigers relented and allowed Luai to get his way in a last-ditch attempt to convince him not to re-sign with Penrith. And Panthers fans are now daring to dream that he'll make a quick return to Penrith after his difficult decision to leave. However the money on offer at the Tigers might be too good to refuse. Speaking on SEN radio on Friday morning, leading journalist Michael Carayannis said: "If the Tigers walk away with another wooden spoon he might want to exit the club. If I'm the Wests Tigers I'm trying to re-negotiate and get that clause out. This time next year he'll actually be a free agent and there will be more teams lining up for Jarome Luai than there were this year." Commentator Andrew Voss added: :"If I was the Tigers at the very least, I think it should have been three (years guaranteed) plus two (options). You have to lock in for three years working with teammates and blokes coming through. You've got an 18-year-old half with you (Lachie Galvin). I would like to see three years of Jarome Luai locked in."

Luai admission as Tigers pre-season put on hold

Jarome Luai has admitted captaining Toa Samoa at the upcoming Pacific Championships will be among the biggest moments of his rugby league career. The 27-year-old is fresh off a fourth-straight NRL premiership with the Panthers, but will leave the club in the off-season and join the struggling Wests Tigers. But before he gets to Concord, the fleet-footed playmaker will have a massive task on his hands, heading overseas with the Samoan squad for a historic series in England. Speaking to 9News, Luai was asked whether leading his teammates in the two-game Test series would rank as high as his title victories with Penrith. "Definitely, yeah," he replied. "I know I've just come off the back of a four-peat, but being able to do this and represent my country as captain is definitely up there." Luai has inked a long-term deal with the Tigers, bringing immediate star power and class to the squad that has finished with the wooden spoon in three consecutive seasons. Despite his rep commitments putting his pre-season training on hold, Luai isn't worried and is looking forward to joining coach Benji Marshall in the new year. "I'll be sweet - I will link up with Benji ASAP when I get back and we will start talking Tigers," he said. The man that Luai is expected to partner next year, Lachlan Galvin, is keen to play alongside the NSW Blues five-eighth. "I think he will be massive," the rookie playmaker said on Thursday from PM's XIII camp. "As we saw in the grand final, he's a quality player and he can lead a team around. He's probably gonna change our whole culture at the Tigers and that's what we need. "We want a quality player like him."

Hidden 'pressure' Panthers felt as cameras rolled

When Penrith's stars were informed their 2023 season would make the big screen in a three-part Stan series titled Undisputed, it came with an undeniable pressure. Having won back-to-back premierships, the Panthers side already had the weight of expectation trying to complete a three-peat and then learned before the finals series that their campaign would be available for all to see. Panthers co-captain Nathan Cleary admits it wouldn't have been a great watch if the side didn't complete an extraordinary comeback against the Broncos in the decider. "I was pretty excited (when I found out about it) but I think it put a bit of pressure on to try and actually win it, it wouldn't have been that good if we lost," he told Wide World of Sports. "... Originally when we found out, everyone was talking about it but once it gets into the flow of things you don't notice the cameras too much, you don't really notice what's happening then you actually remember after the grand final all that it was recorded." Cleary's halves partner, Jarome Luai, plays a prominent role in episode one, as the audience is given an insight into his injury blow. The 27-year-old dislocated his shoulder in round 26, with uncertainty around whether he'd make it back for the grand final.

Luai 'arrogance' young Panthers target can't replace

The Panthers keep shooting for the stars - now chasing a four-peat which hasn't been achieved since the mighty St George Dragons in the 1950s and '60s. Biggest danger to the Panthers isn't the rival NRL clubs or their own headspace - it's the salary cap that is slowly eating away at their star-studded team. The better the Panthers get, the more their players go up in value - and rival clubs pounce. Matt Burton and Kurt Capewell left after the 2021 triumph, Apisai Koroisau and Viliame Kikau after 2022 and now Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu after the latest victory - with Jarome Luai set to follow next year. The Dragons back in the old days had no such salary cap dramas - and it is to Penrith's eternal credit that they keep losing their best players - yet the winning run continues. But Crichton and Leniu - a strike back and a powerhouse forward - leave big holes and there will be question marks in the early rounds of 2024. Ivan Cleary has some fine young talent coming through, but players not yet capable of providing the spark of Crichton and Leniu. The Panthers definitely look a little vulnerable after so many departures in the past three years - but are still top four certainties and given a good run with injury, will still mount a formidable title defence. Grand final 2023 showed they are never beaten - the mark of a true champion team - and they are the one every other team in the race most fears.

Luai makes $6m switch official amid Panthers exit

Star Panthers playmaker Jarome Luai has confirmed he will be joining Wests Tigers on a five-year deal after the 2024 NRL season.Luai's management staged a rare press conference at Darling Harbour on Wednesday afternoon, at which the three-time grand final winner confirmed his exit from the Panthers on a deal worth $6 million, according to The Sydney Morning Herald."The obvious reason was it was a great opportunity for me to provide and create for my family, but also to create something for myself," Luai said."I've had a great connection with Benji [Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall] ... We've spoken about the future and what he sees in me moving forward."I'm really excited about it, excited about the challenge, as well. I've seen a few headlines about, 'Who would go from the top to the bottom?' ... and it resonated with me, just because I'm always backing myself to win no matter where I go ... Hopefully I can bring that belief to the boys in 2025."But for now I just wanted to clear that up and say thank you once again to everyone out there who's supported and backed me; not just my family, but fans. I do have a lot out there."The NRL introduced a 10-day negotiation window at the completion of the 2023 season, giving clubs a chance to convince players to backflip on contracts they've signed.

Luai to sign $6m deal with NRL cellar-dwellars

Penrith star Jarome Luai has reportedly is set to sign a five-year deal to play for the Wests Tigers in 2025.According to NRL reporter Michael Chammas, the deal is worth more than $6 million.The Panthers had offered Luai a two-year, $1.7 million deal to remain at the club in 2025 and 2026 but opted to test his value on the open market.Luai 107-game veteran for the Panthers, is a three-time premiership winner with the club, having played all his senior and junior football for Penrith.Luai's future has been the talk of the off-season, with the three-time premiership winner paying visits to Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould and Tigers coach Benji Marshall.The Tigers interim CEO Shane Richardson said this week the club would abandon plans to chase Addin Fonua-Blake to concentrate on signing Luai."I've made my feelings on Luai well known for a long while. In my opinion, he was the best young half coming through," Richardson said.

Jarome Luai ruled fit to play in preliminary final amid NRL's embarrassing' move

The Panthers have declared Jarome Luai fit to return for their preliminary final clash with the Storm, for which the NRL has been forced to give away free tickets. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed on Thursday morning that Luai and centre Izack Tago would both play in the blockbuster showdown on Friday night.Luai hasn't played since dislocating his shoulder five weeks ago against Parramatta. "This game was always the one that the medical staff planned on (Jarome) being back for," Cleary said. "We just had to get to the game, which we have been able to do."Meanwhile, the NRL has started giving away free tickets to the preliminary final at Accor Stadium, with the blockbuster clash nowhere near a sell-out. While the Broncos and Warriors game at Suncorp Stadium sold out within an hour, it's a very different story in Sydney.There are still thousands of tickets available for the Penrith and Melbourne clash, with organisers struggling to sell out the 83,000-capacity Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park. Fans took to social media on Wednesday afternoon to show some of the messages they'd received from the NRL, offering free tickets for the preliminary final.

Joey's grim warning to Luai in $1m conundrum

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns has called on Jarome Luai to consider the situation Reed Mahoney is enduring as he weighs up his next contract.Mahoney signed for a bigger offer after leaving the Eels for Canterbury this season but has been part of a disappointing campaign.Luai's contract has been a point of discussion after he left his management, while the Panthers have also signed five-eighth Daine Laurie along with re-signing fullback Dylan Edwards on a three-year deal worth $2.4 million.Johns believes Luai may only be looking at $600,000-a-season if he stays with Penrith. "If you look at that signing, you've got Nathan (Cleary) and Dylan (in the spine), and you've got Mitch Kenny and Soni Luke who is there also as well," he said on Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour."The big one to talk about is Jarome Luai, is Jarome staying? Because that money they paid for Dylan, Jarome's probably looking at $600k maybe for Penrith."Johns was then asked if he thought Luai would stay for that offer, and considered the situation the Bulldogs hooker is currently going through."Maybe go and ask Reed Mahoney ... it's going to be a big one for Jarome," he said."Jarome's got a young family so you can totally understand it but if Jarome goes on the open market he's getting a million dollars."Over five years you're talking near two million dollars (extra than the Panthers deal), you can't stay for that."That's going to be the big story moving forward but for Dylan, congratulations to Dylan, congratulations to the Panthers, well done."Despite coach Ivan Cleary previously expressing his confidence that Luai would stay at the club, one potential suitor could be the Bulldogs.Having only just signed Toby Sexton as halfback, the club will likely wait to see how he progresses in the role, while question marks remain over Matt Burton's position at five-eighth, according to Johns.

Luai the niggle king

The NRL's two master nigglers – Jarome Luai and Cameron Munster – came face to face at Penrith on Friday night.And just as the Panthers easily won the football match, Luai won the battle between the two master baiters.He got under the skin of the Storm players with his trash talking and niggle, and it put Melbourne off their normally well-disciplined game.The Panthers were probably going to win the game regardless, but Craig Bellamy will be fuming that Luai rattled his players and distracted them from their game plan.The Panthers have now won 11 of their last 12 games and are firming in the bookies' eyes to become the first team to win a three-peat since the mighty Parramatta Eels in 1981-1983.

Gallen reveals motive behind Luai's Penrith exit

Phil Gould says he doesn't see "any reason whatsoever" why Jarome Luai, who just split with his management company, would want to depart the Panthers.But Paul Gallen has questioned if the representative five-eighth could be motivated by steering a struggling club to success.Fears of Luai fleeing the Panthers are heightened after Danny Weidler revealed in the Sun-Herald that Luai had lost a contract worth $100,000 following a break-up with management company SFX Sports Group.There were already concerns that Luai could become a free agent on November 1 in a pursuit to become a $1 million-a-season player — a pay slip he might not be able to secure at the Panthers because of the powerhouse club's salary-cap squeeze.Penrith has coughed up a long list of gun players amid its extraordinary NRL success in recent times, including Matt Burton, Apisai Koroisau and Viliame Kikau, while Stephen Crichton is among those set to leave at the end of this season.Gould, who orchestrated Penrith's era of domination as the club's general manager for eight years from 2011, was adamant on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night that Luai would ink a new deal with the Panthers."I don't think there's any reason whatsoever why he would be looking to leave the Panthers. That's where he's grown up and that's where he's played, he's playing with the best club in the league, the No.1 club in the country. Why would he want to move?" Gould said."I don't see any reason why he would leave Penrith, I don't think he's thinking of leaving Penrith at all and I don't know money is all that important to him, to be honest."Of the potential suitors for Luai's signature, the Bulldogs loom as a feasible destination, partly because of the moves of Burton, Kikau and coach Cameron Ciraldo from Penrith to Canterbury.Crichton will swap Panthers colours for the Bulldogs strip on a four-year deal at the completion of this season.Luai signing with the Bulldogs also fits with Gallen's argument regarding trying to turn around an embattled club."He's had success, he's won two premierships in a row, he's here this year, he's there next year, as well, if they win three in a row that's a hell of a lot of success he's had," Gallen said on 100% Footy.

Old Firm Return Just In Time

The old firm of Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary is back together again - and the Panthers are suddenly back with a real chance of three straight titles.With Cleary back from a hamstring injury, the Panthers looked the team that took the title in 2021 and 2022, thumping the Bulldogs 44-18 on Sunday.They came up with five try assists between them, as well as four linebreak assists, feeding off each other as they destroyed the Bulldogs defence.If Cleary can stay healthy through the finals, the Panthers will again be a massive threat, such is his impact on the team.

Penrith is my home: NRL star Jarome Luai

Jarome Luai has declared Penrith his home as the back-to-back premiers begin hatching a plan to retain both their star five-eighth and fullback Dylan Edwards beyond 2024.Luai and Edwards have been critical to the Panthers' sustained success over the past four seasons but both are free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2025 come November 1.Penrith have been hard-pressed to keep all of their big-name players in recent seasons, losing Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton, Kurt Capewell, Brent Naden and Api Koroisau to cashed-up rivals craving premiership experience.Retaining both Luai and Edwards looms as their biggest challenge yet, not least because of the fullback's recent performances.After years of flying under the radar, Edwards is in career-best form, with pundits suggesting he would be in the frame for representative selection this year if NSW and Australia captain James Tedesco was injured.Defecting to a rival would almost certainly earn the fullback an increase on his reported current salary of $500,000 per year - less than half the pay-packet of million-dollar rival fullbacks Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic and Kalyn Ponga.

For his part, Luai is the incumbent Blues five-eighth at State of Origin level and reportedly earns around $700,000 per season on his current contract, signed before the Panthers won either of their premierships.Despite both being poised for increases, coach Ivan Cleary last week insisted he was confident the Panthers could retain both men beyond 2024, pointing to their longstanding connection with the club as local juniors.Luai has not broached the topic with his teammate but felt confident the pair was on the same page."This is our home and we've had a lot of success here," Luai told AAP."Hopefully they can keep us both. I'd love to stay, this is my home."I think we just leave it in the hands of our managers and Penrith themselves."Far from feeling threatened by the prospect of jostling with Edwards for a pay-rise, Luai is cheering for his teammate's upswing in form.Edwards scored four tries in the round six defeat of Manly, the most for a Panther in any game since July 2020, and is ranked second in the league for tackle busts through seven rounds."He's killing it, like he's always done," Luai said.