Jarome Luai has reportedly received Penrith’s blessing to test the open market as the November 1 deadline approaches.
The Daily Telegraph reports the star five-eighth met with Penrith on Friday afternoon when the club made clear their desire to keep him, but also told the first player he was free to consider his options.
Luai is terminating his contract at the end of next season while Penrtih will only be able to offer him a maximum of $800,000 per season upon renewal.
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Luai is estimated to be worth up to $1.1 million in street value.
Nonetheless, the Panthers’ hands are reportedly tied by salary cap issues, despite the club’s desire to retain the star long-term.
“Jarome is aware of the club’s salary cap capacity going forward. He will have surgery on Monday, so our main focus at the moment is his well-being and recovery,” Penrith Chief Matt Cameron said, according to the publication.
“Jarome is under contract until the end of 2024, so we see no need to rush these conversations.
“Jarome is a three-time premiership player who will obviously attract interest on the open market and the Panthers have no problem with him exploring all his options for the future.”
TIGERS’ $525,000 BACKFLIP ON CULT HERO
In a shocking twist, the Wests Tigers will not allow Alex Twal to test the open market this offseason, despite informing the cult hero forward that he is not part of their plans next season.
Twal was in discussions with the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs as it appeared the Tigers were keen to let the prop leave with one year remaining on his contract.
As SMH reports, the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs wanted the Tigers to pay part of Twal’s $525,000 salary for 2024, but Wests executives were unwilling to come to the table on that detail.
Instead, the Tigers and coach Benji Marshall informed Twal that he was wanted at the club.
Twal played 124 NRL games, all for the Tigers.
His try drought was well publicized when he finally broke the duck this season against the Storm in his 116th game.
TWO SYDNEY TEAMS SURROUND THE WARRIORS FORWARD
Warriors forward Josh Curran is set to leave the New Zealand-based club after receiving clearance to negotiate with other teams.
According to WWOSat least two Sydney clubs are in the first race for Curran’s signature.
The 23-year-old has a contract with the Warriors until the end of next season, but due to salary cap pressures, they are willing to let Curran leave a year early if he can find another destination .
Curran had one of his best seasons as a freshman this year, playing in 23 games for a team that reached a preliminary final.
He mostly started on the bench for the Warriors, averaging 45 minutes per game. He recorded 52 yards and over 21 tackles per game.
Curran missed two games due to a suspension for his role in a bar fight last year.
SHOCK CLUB FIRST RACE FOR VETERAN GAME MASTER
Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford is set to move to the British Super League after it was revealed Leigh Leopards were close to agreeing a deal with the utility.
Sky Sports reported that Jenna Brooks revealed the news during the network’s broadcast of the Super League semi-final between St Helens and the Catalans Dragons on Friday evening.
Milford’s stint with the Dolphins got off to a poor start as a disappointing pre-season meant he wasn’t even picked in the round one win over the Roosters.
The 29-year-old had some good times in 2023, but his form was patchy at best, appearing in just 11 games.
Milford is currently contracted to the Dolphins for 2024, but it has been reported that the new NRL club would have no problem granting the playmaker an early release from his contract.
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STORM TO LOCK A PROMISING YOUNG
The Storm are set to extend rising star Sua Faalogo, using a loophole to prevent rival clubs from offering contracts for the full-back.
The 20-year-old made a splash on his NRL debut, scoring twice off the bench against the Broncos on matchday 27.
Faalogo is currently set to hit the open market on November 1, but Melbourne power brokers are expected to take up a contract option to retain him, according to the Daily Telegraph.
His contract carries an option in favor of the club for 2025, which is expected to be exercised with Faalago also promoted to the Storm’s top 30 next season.
He was initially expected to achieve promotion in 2025 and would be one of the club’s long-term retention priorities.
Faalago is also a rare Victorian product and said he was “grateful” for the opportunities the storm gave him.
The full-back is set to make his international debut for Samoa at the upcoming Pacific Championships after being named in the squad for the first time.
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Faalago praised the impact of fellow No.1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is also under contract until the end of 2025.
“But I’m lucky to have had Paps there too and I learned from him, even when he was injured he was there if I needed him. I still think it’s crazy that I get to train with him,” he said.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am with my football right now.”
THE VERY DECISION OF RABBITOHS GUN
Rabbitohs star Keaon Koloamatangi will make a call on his future upon his return from representative duties as two rival clubs prepare to play for him on November 1.
Koloamatangi’s current deal with South Sydney expires at the end of 2024, meaning he is free to negotiate with his rivals from November 1 if he does not re-sign before then.
News Corp. reports that the Raiders and Dragons are interested in the 25-year-old, who is due to fly to the United Kingdom this week to represent Tonga in a three-match international series against England.
He said News Corp. although a decision will not be made on his future until he returns home.
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“My manager (Tyran Smith) did that, he knows I’m going on tour, so I let him do all that (contract discussion),” Koloamatangi said.
“Me and my manager Ty, we have a great relationship, he’s been my manager since I was 15 so I trust him with my life. I know he will do his best for me.
“I will probably make a decision when I return from England.”
Koloamatangi has played 82 NRL games for the Rabbitohs since his debut in 2020 and revealed his preference was to stay at the club.
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“I obviously haven’t spoken to anyone, at this point I’m not allowed to speak to anyone until November 1,” he said.
“Hopefully we can sort something out with the Rabbitohs, but otherwise it is what it is. We’ll see how things go when I get back.
Tonga will play three tests against England: October 23 at St Helens, October 29 at Huddersfield and November 5 at Leeds.
It will be an opportunity to make up for their early exit from last year’s Rugby World Cup after losing to Samoa in the quarter-finals.
