“It’s impossible to meet a better person”: The New Tigers manager intensifies the team’s efforts to sign Luai
Shane Richardson, the interim chief executive of the Wests Tigers, has intensified the team’s multimillion-dollar effort to sign Panthers star Jarome Luai.
Strangely, the Tigers’ shocking dismissal of the entire board this week has advanced their chances of acquiring three-time premiership winner Luai.
The team has been pursuing Penrith’s unsigned No. 6 for several months and has put up a $4.5 million four-year contract.
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Luai is under new management these days, Block Money Enterprises, who also represent Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell who Richardson helped sign from the Roosters.
Luai, who is contracted at the Panthers until the end of next season, initially wanted to make a decision on his future before returning to pre-season training on December 8, but that deadline has been pushed back.
It’s now understood the 26-year-old who has played for New South Wales and Samoa hopes to make a decision before Christmas.
The Panthers have offered Luai a three-year deal worth $2.55 million, which is $275,000 per season less than the Tigers, plus a year shorter.
Luai has also been linked with the Bulldogs where general manager Phil Gould is keen for him to relink with former Panthers stars Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton, and coach Cameron Ciraldo
Samuel Hughes, a 22-year-old forward, has been identified by Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould as a possible breakout star for the team in 2024.
Gould’s viewpoint on the matter is noteworthy in light of the fact that he was spot on last season when designating Jacob Preston as the Bulldogs’ young gun to watch.
Preston not only exceeded Gould’s high standards, but also validated them.
The unflappable back rower not only took home the club’s rookie of the year award, but he also cleaned the pool by winning the Dr. George Peponis Medal for both Bulldogs player of the year and member’s player of the year.
Gould did not predict that Hughes would achieve the same success as Preston in 2024, but the 22-year-old is getting a lot of praise from the perceptive football analyst.
In response to a fan’s query on the social media platform X regarding which players are making an impression during preseason training, Gould stated, “Sam Hughes
Last season, Hughes played in five Bulldogs games. He made his NRL debut against the Rabbitohs in Round 6.
In four of those, he came off the bench and made one lock forward game start.
With the Bulldogs losing Luke Thompson, Franklin Pele and Tevita Pangai Junior from their forward stocks, Hughes will be consistently challenging for a first grade spot sooner rather than later.
