Luai desperate to deliver final gift before 'shock' Tigers exit

Wests Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai has declared his desire to help the club break a 15-year finals drought as he opens up on his surprise at being released by the Tigers. 

Luai's time at Concord will end after just two years of a lucrative five-year deal after club officials decided to accelerate his exit following his decision to sign with the Papua New Guinea Chiefs from 2028 in April. 

While he had initially hoped to play out the remaining 18 months of his contract with the Tigers, the playmaker will instead line up for the Eels in 2027 before joining the Chiefs for their inaugural campaign.

The Tigers' decision comes as they prioritise re-signing a host of young players to build their long-term future around, include talented brothers Samuela and Latu Fainu. The pair are off contract at the end of next year and likely to receive significant interest from rival clubs if they hit the open market on November 1. 

Latu is a 21-year-old five-eighth many have predicted will develop into a star and could slide straight into Luai's No.6 jumper next year. 

Talking to the media on Thursday morning, Luai revealed his surprise at being informed the club planned on moving forward without him next season but backed the team's long-term direction. 

"It was a bit of a shock, I'll be honest with you," Luai told reporters. "As a player, our game at this level is a business and the faster the athlete is able to comprehend that, the better understanding they have of where and why these decisions are made. 

"I'm fully supportive of the club, knowing there's some potential in these guys here, especially in the halves. Without opportunity, those guys can't prosper and the last thing I wanted to be was a roadblock for another man's success, so I'm fully supportive of the club."

Luai's early departure comes as the Tigers fight to keep their top-eight hopes alive amid a tough run on the field. 

Benji Marshall's side burst out of the gates to win four of their first five games and sat third on the ladder after Round 8, but injuries to key players have combined to cripple their campaign. 

The Tigers currently sit 13th, six points outside the eight leading into Saturday's blockbuster against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium and need a victory to keep their changes of snapping the league's longest active finals drought alive.

There is still hope for long-suffering Tigers fans, with Newcastle sitting in a similar position two years ago before going on to finish eighth and Luai has not given up hope of leading his side back to the finals.

"I believe we can," Luai said when asked about the Tigers finals chances before later expressing his desire to finish his time with the club on a high. 

"[My main focus] is to win games. That's when everyone enjoys their footy and I'm the same. I've got a job to do as a leader and as captain of this club. 

"While I'm still here, I'll put my best foot forward and that's the way I can show the boys I'm locked in for the rest of the year."