Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
WATCH: Field of Dreams finalistsWhy 2025 has not been a successful season for Luai
Nicholas Quinlan • November 17th, 2025 1:10 pm
Jarome Luai admits that his first season with the Wests Tigers has not been a success by his own standards, but he has noted the amount of growth the side has made throughout the 2025 season.
Having been an integral part of Penrith’s dynasty, which saw them win four premierships in a row, Luai made the call to depart the club, making the move to the Wests Tigers for 2025 on a five-year deal.
The first year of his tenure, which saw him being appointed co-captain with former Panthers’ teammate Api Koroisau, the 28-year-old helped deliver a much-needed improvement in their record, having lifted from being wooden spooners with six wins in 2024 to finishing 13th on the ladder with nine wins.
However, to the star five-eighth's own standards, he felt that the year had not been a success due to not being able to break the Tigers’ 14-year finals drought.
But he acknowledges that there has been plenty of growth in the team.
“We didn’t play finals, and I think for me as a competitor, that’s what it comes down to,” Luai told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Like, whether it’s a successful year or not, but throughout the course of the year, there has been a lot of growth in that changeroom, and I’m so proud of the boys.
“We haven’t had many results go our way, but we’re going towards bigger and better things coming for the new year.”
Having come from such a successful system in Penrith, led by master coach Ivan Cleary, there have been plenty of comparisons drawn between the two sides, with the likes of former Panthers in Koroisau, Taylan May, Brent Naden and Sunia Turuva as a way of trying to replicate their success with Benji Marshall in charge.
With Luai acknowledging that he wants to build a similar culture of success in Tigertown, he feels that as they continue to grow, it will result in the two getting enough experience to find their style.
“Probably just experience,” he explained.
“Benji is finding his own coaching style, which is pretty obvious. He’s two and a bit years into his (coaching) career now, but we’re growing as a club.
“Me as a skipper, Benji as a coach. Iv is pretty established now as a coach and his resume, so hopefully we can build something towards what these guys (Penrith) are doing and have done.”
Luai’s contract situation has also been one of plenty of speculation.
In his five-year deal, there is an option for Luai at the end of the next season to activate a clause that can see him leave the club.
But the 28-year-old is remaining focused on the season ahead, saying that he’ll take a season-by-season approach.
“It’s a year-to-year thing,” Luai said.
“I’m locked in for the year coming, so we’ll see how we go.”
The Wests Tigers will begin their 2026 season in Round 2 against the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on March 14.
