‘Everything seems to come out’: The big issue with Benji’s secret meeting with Panthers superstar
“Are You Satisfied With This Deals?”> Tigers coach Benji Marshall has made some signings for the….
Tigers coach Benji Marshall has reportedly made a secret visit to Jarome Luai’s house in a bid to recruit the gun playmaker.
The SMH is reporting Marshall, who will enter his first full season as coach of the Tigers in 2024, pitched what a move to the struggling club could look like for Luai.
He reportedly discussed the merit in making the cross-town switch, having won three premierships in three consecutive seasons with the Panthers.
Penrith powerbrokers have tabled a $1.7 million extension over two years to Luai, hoping to re-sign a key member of their spine.
Luai has previously revealed Marshall was his idol growing up, with both players boasting dazzling footwork and playmaking abilities.
As it stands no formal offer has been tabled for Luai, however he could be enticed by the allure of being the main man in Leichhardt.
The back-to-back wooden spooners also have a war chest to work with and could table a multimillion-dollar offer that minnows that of the Panthers.
The Panthers are reportedly hopeful he will make his decision by Christmas, with salary cap space set aside for his retention.
However, former Tigers prop Aaron Woods issued the club a big warning, explaining Luai could be disgruntled by his meeting with Marshall being leaked to the media.
“I love that Benji is being pretty proactive in trying to get these players, going out to get them but we call it a secret meeting,” Woods said on Triple M.
“Everything at the Tigers seems to come out and it’s probably going to be on Jarome Luai’s mind so it’s a funny one.
“But I love that Benji is out there trying to get the best players.”
Comments made by Ivan Cleary regarding Luai’s credentials to lead a team also seemingly caught the ire of the gun No.6.
“Is he ready for that? That’s a question mark I would think,” Cleary said.
“Can he do it? I’m sure he could do it. Has he done it? He hasn’t really. In this team he has his role to play. That’s a risk everyone would have to take.”
In response, Luai took to Instagram, posting an anime-styled image of himself with the caption ‘Know Your Worth’.
He also accompanied the post with 50 Cent’s Hustler’s Ambition, which is the lead single to the famous rapper’s 2005 feature film Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.
