official confirmation of Nathan Cleary moving to the Wests Tigers. Cleary remains a key player for the West Tigers in the NRL. However, his long-time halves partner, Jarome Luai, has made a significant move by signing a five-year, $6 million deal with the Wests Tigers, aiming to step out of Cleary’s shadow and establish himself as a primary playmaker.
Luai’s departure has had an emotional impact on Cleary, who expressed sadness over the end of their partnership. The duo has been playing together since they were 15 years old and has achieved remarkable success, including four consecutive NRL premierships with the Panthers. Cleary acknowledged the business nature of professional sports and supported Luai’s decision to pursue new opportunities for his family.
In his move to the Tigers, Luai is eager to embrace a leadership role and demonstrate his capabilities as the main playmaker. He has already begun training with his new teammates, focusing on building a strong partnership with young five-eighth Lachlan Galvin. Luai’s competitive nature and desire to prove himself are driving factors behind his decision to join the Tigers.
While Cleary remains with the Panthers, he faces the challenge of adapting to a new halves partnership following Luai’s departure. He has expressed readiness to elevate his leadership and support younger players stepping into key roles within the team. Despite the end of their on-field collaboration, both Cleary and Luai have expressed mutual respect and support for each other’s decisions, highlighting the strong bond they have developed over years of playing together.
In summary, Nathan Cleary has not made a move to the Wests Tigers and continues to be a pivotal player for the Penrith Panthers. Jarome Luai’s transition to the Tigers marks a new chapter in his career as he seeks to establish himself as a leading playmaker and contribute to the Tigers’ future success.
