Jarome Luai has reportedly been given Penrith’s blessing to test the open market as the November 1 deadline approaches.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the star five-eighth met with Penrith on Friday afternoon when the club made clear its desire is to keep him, but also told the premiership player he’s free to look at his options.
Luai comes off contract at the end of next season when it’s believed Penrtih will only be able to offer him a maximum $800,000 a season at renewal.
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Luai is thought to be worth up to $1.1 million at market value.
Nonetheless, the Panthers’ hands are reportedly tied by salary cap issues, despite how much the club wants to retain the star long-term.
“Jarome is aware of the club’s salary cap capacity moving forward. He’s having surgery on Monday so our main focus at the moment is his wellbeing and recovery,” Penrith chief Matt Cameron said, according to the publication.
“Jarome is contracted until the end of 2024 so we don’t see a need to rush these conversations.
“Jarome is a three-time premiership player who will obviously command interest on the open market and the Panthers have no problem with him investigating all his options moving forward.”
TIGERS’ $525K BACKFLIP ON CULT HERO
In a shock twist, the Wests Tigers won’t give permission to Alex Twal to test the open market this offseason despite informing the cult hero forward he wasn’t part of their plans next season.
Twal had been in discussions with the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs as it appeared the Tigers were keen to let the prop walk with a year left on his contract.
As reported by the SMH, both the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs wanted the Tigers to pay some of Twal’s $525,000 salary for 2024, but Wests’ brass weren’t keen to come to the table on that detail.
Instead, the Tigers and coach Benji Marshall have informed Twal that he is wanted at the club.
Twal has played 124 NRL games, all for the Tigers.
His try-scoring drought was well-publicised when he finally broke the duck this season against the Storm in his 116th game.
TWO SYDNEY TEAMS CIRCLING WARRIORS FORWARD
Warriors forward Josh Curran is set to leave the New Zealand-based club after being given permission to negotiate with other teams.
According to WWOS, at least two Sydney clubs are in the early 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 go a year earlier if he can find another destination.
Curran had one of his best seasons in first grade this year, appearing in 23 games for a team that reached a preliminary final.
He mostly started off the bench for the Warriors, averaging 45 minutes a game. He recorded 52 metres and over 21 tackles per game.
Curran did miss two games through suspension for his role in a bar fight last year.
SHOCK CLUB LEADING RACE FOR VETERAN PLAYMAKER
Dolphins playmaker Anthony Milford is set for a switch to the UK Super League after it was revealed the Leigh Leopards are close to penning a deal with the utility.
Sky Sports reported Jenna Brooks revealed the news on the network’s broadcast of the Super League semi-final between St Helens and the Catalans Dragons on Friday night.
Milford’s stint with the Dolphins got off to a poor start as a disappointing preseason meant he wasn’t even picked in the Round 1 win over the Roosters.
The 29-year-old had some good moments in 2023, but his form was patchy at best, appearing in just 11 games.
Milford is currently contracted with the Dolphins for 2024 but it has been reported the NRL’s newest club will have no issue granting the playmaker an early release from his deal.
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STORM TO LOCK DOWN PROMISING YOUNGSTER
The Storm are set to extend rising star Sua Faalogo, using a loophole to keep rival clubs from tabling contracts for the gun fullback.
The 20-year-old made a splash on his NRL debut, scoring twice off the bench against the Broncos in Round 27.
Faalogo is currently set to hit the open market on November 1, but Melbourne powerbrokers are set to take up an option in contract to retain him according to The Daily Telegraph.
His contract has an option in the club’s favour for 2025, which is set to be exercised with Faalago also promoted in to the Storm’s top 30 next season.
He was originally set to earn a promotion in 2025 and is reportedly 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 had afforded him.
The gun fullback is set to make his international debut for Samoa in 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 contracted until the end of 2025.
“But I’m lucky I’ve had Paps there also and I have been learning off 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 footy at the moment.”
RABBITOHS GUN’S LOOMING DECISION
Rabbitohs star Keaon Koloamatangi will make a call on his future when he returns from representative duties as two rival clubs prepare to make a 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 rivals from November 1 should he not re-sign before then.
News Corp reports the Raiders and Dragons are interested in the 25-year-old, who is due to fly to the UK this week to represent Tonga in a three-match international series against England.
He told News Corp though a decision won’t be made on his future until he returns home.
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“My manager (Tyran Smith) has been doing that, he knows that I have been going away touring, so I’m letting him do all that (contract talk),” 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’ll do the best for me.
“I’ll probably make a decision when I come back from England.”
Koloamatangi has played 82 NRL games for the Rabbitohs since making his debut in 2020 and revealed his preference is to remain at the club.
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“I obviously haven’t spoken to anyone, at this stage I’m not allowed to speak to anyone until November 1,” he said.
“Hopefully we can sort something out with the Rabbitohs, but if not, it is what it is. We’ll see how things go when I’m back.”
Tonga will play three Tests against England — October 23 in St Helens, October 29 in Huddersfield and November 5 in Leeds.
It’ll be an opportunity to make up for bowing out of last year’s Rugby League World Cup prematurely after going down to Samoa in the quarterfinals.
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