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Is Jarome Luai set to reunite with his former premiership-winning teammate Api Koroisau at the Wests Tigers?
That’s what we’d be led to believe after Newcastle Knights centre Bradman Best threw a cat amongst the pigeons with a pair of emojis in response to a post from the Panthers premiership winner.
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The three-time premiership winner is one of the biggest names testing the open market for his 2025 contract.
Luai will combine with Nathan Cleary in the Panthers halves in 2024 as the side chases a fourth straight title, but it’s the last year of his current contract.
The Panthers have already capped his offer at $850,000 although he’s expected to attract as much as $1.1m if he leaves the side with which he’s won three titles and become an Origin player.
While the move has been hotly debated, Knights centre and fellow Wests Tigers target Bradman Best alluded to Luai heading to Concord.
Luai took to Instagram to thank Foot Locker for having him at the opening of the Liverpool store.
Liverpool is by no means far from the Penrith area but is on the border of Tigers and Eels territory.
But Best took the opportunity to spark the rumour mill, posting a Tiger emoji followed by the eyes emoji.
Does Best know something we don’t?
It could well be a bit of trolling from the hulking centre as the Tigers and Bulldogs are said to be the teams most likely to go for Luai.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall reportedly visited the home of Luai earlier in the week and has long said he was interested in the Samoan superstar.
“The amount of money he (Luai) is going to command is going to be quite big,” Marshall said earlier this month.
“He has earned that. But whenever a marquee player comes up you do have to have a look at them and whether you can afford them.
“The positive thing for us is we have signed three really good young halves too – Jayden Sullivan, Latu Fainu and also Lachie Galvin who no one has really talked about.”
However, it appears unlikely that Best will join Luai as The Daily Telegraph reported he was set to reject the Tigers and re-sign with the Knights on a deal worth more than $2m.
“I want to stay here,” Best said a fortnight ago.
“The Tigers have shown some interest, they are keen, but I have to weigh everything up.
“If it all works out as we plan, I’ll be staying at the Knights.
“We’ll see what happens but I’m really settled here.
“I love the club and I love the culture we have built.
“The boys here are all so connected and we are a close bunch, so to walk away from that would be really hard.
“The lifestyle here (in Newcastle) is second-to-none.
“We’re in talks now and my manager is sorting things out.”
Best had a career-best season in 2023, scoring 13 tries in 25 games and making his State of Origin debut in NSW’s 24-10 win in the game three dead rubber.
Originally published as Knights centre Bradman Best ignites Wests Tigers-Jarome Luai rumour
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