Rival clubs are circling as Luai’s $300k decision looms; Storm is preparing to extend boom young gun: Whispers.
On November 1, Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai will go on the open market, and many clubs in need of halves are planning to make a play for the divisive Panther.
If Luai stays at the foot of the mountains for a lot less money than he could earn from other clubs, that is the crucial question that still needs to be answered.
This season, Penrith has already extended the contracts of Dylan Edwards, Issah Yeo, and Liam Martin, and players like Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, and Moses Leota have contracts that last at least until 2027.
According to Michael Carayannis of The Daily Telegraph, Penrith may only be able to offer Luai a contract worth “$800,000-$850,000 per year” because of their limited cap space, despite the possibility that he could receive a much higher offer from another club.
He could earn $300k more annually on the open market in his situation at Penrith.
On another club, he might demand more than $1 million annually, Carayannis said on SEN on Tuesday.
Jarome will have the most fascinating conversation about his future because it’s a lot of money to leave on the table.
“There is a stigma associated with Jarome in that if you take him out of the Penrith system, how good does he look?
That’s the same for a lot of those Penrith players, but I still believe he would easily fetch over $1 million on the open market,” the author said.
“.
In Penrith’s historic grand final victory over Brisbane, Luai re-aggravated a shoulder injury.
He will not compete for Samoa in the upcoming Pacific Championships.
Contrary to what Carayannis claims, “halves are so rare” to find, so it won’t stop rival teams from pursuing him aggressively.
“There are some clubs who are already having trouble coping with the unpredictability of their half situations for the following season.
“The Dragons and Raiders have not replaced Jack Wighton.
The Bulldogs and Tigers have signed a number of halves, but are they all legitimate long-term six and seven options?
“Many clubs are under scrutiny.
“.
Sua Faalogo, a rising star, will be extended by The Storm, using a legal snare to prevent competing teams from submitting offers for the dynamic fullback.
In Round 27’s game against the Broncos, the 20-year-old made a big impression on his NRL debut by scoring twice off the bench.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Melbourne powerbrokers plan to exercise an option in his contract to keep him from going on the open market on November 1.
However, Faalogo is currently scheduled to do so.
Sua Fa’alogo, a rookie from Melbourne and Samoa, scores right away.
NRL PhotosSource: Supplied.
His contract includes a 2025 club option that is likely to be exercised once Faalago is elevated to the Storm’s top 30 next season.
He is reportedly one of the club’s top priorities for long-term retention and was originally scheduled to receive a promotion in 2025.
A rare Victorian product himself, Faalago expressed his “gratitude” for the opportunities the Storm had given him.
The seasoned fullback has been included in the squad for the first time and will represent Samoa in the upcoming Pacific Championships.
The influence of fellow No. Faalago was praised.
1 Ryan Papenhuyzen, who is also under contract until the end of 2025.
“But I’m fortunate to have had Paps there as well and I have been learning from him.
Even when he was hurt, he was there if I needed him.
He said, “I still think it’s crazy that I get to train with him.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be playing football the way I am right now.
“.
A LOOMING DECISION FOR RABBITOHS GUN.
Keaon Koloamatangi, a star for the Rabbitohs, will decide on his future after serving as a representative on November 1, as two rival clubs get ready to court him.
Koloamatangi’s contract with South Sydney expires at the end of 2024, so if he doesn’t resign before then, he will be free to begin talks with rivals on November 1.
The 25-year-old, who is scheduled to fly to the UK this week to represent Tonga in a three-match international series against England, is reportedly attracting interest from the Raiders and Dragons, according to News Corp.
But he told News Corp that he wouldn’t decide about his future until he got back home.
Koloamatangi stated, “My manager (Tyran Smith) has been doing that; he knows that I have been traveling, so I’m letting him do all that (contract talk).”.
Since Ty has been my manager since I was 15 years old, we have a great working relationship. I trust him completely.
He’ll act in my best interests, I’m confident of that.
When I return from England, I’ll probably make a decision.
“.
Since making his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs in 2020, Koloamatangi has appeared in 82 games and stated that he would prefer to stay with the team.
He admitted that he had not spoken to anyone, saying that he was not permitted to do so until November 1.
“Hopefully we can work something out with the Rabbitohs, but if not, it is what it is,” said the team captain.
When I get back, we’ll see how things turned out.
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The three tests that Tonga will play against England are scheduled for October 23 in St. Helens, October 29 in Huddersfield, and November 5 in Leeds.
It will be a chance to make amends for leaving the Rugby League World Cup early in 2017 after losing to Samoa in the quarterfinals.