The Tigers will have to go without Luai for the start of their NRL pre-season, with their star recruit set to captain Samoa.
The Wests Tigers will be without star signing Jarome Luai at the start of pre-season, as the four-time premiership-winning playmaker has confirmed he will captain Samoa on their tour of England in October and November. Luai’s decision to participate in Samoa’s two Test matches was a tough one, as it means he will join his new Tigers teammates weeks after their 2025 NRL pre-season begins.
Luai will lead a Samoan squad that includes players such as Izack Tago, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Terrell May, Jeremiah Nanai, Deine Mariner, and Blaize Talagi. Despite missing last year’s post-season series due to a shoulder injury, Luai opted to play this time, with former captain Junior Paulo, Tommy Talau, Murray Taulagi, Heilum Luki, Brian To’o (all injured), Stephen Crichton (due to his wedding), Spencer Leniu, and Stefano Utoikamanu (both for personal reasons) unavailable. He felt the need to represent Samoa before fully committing to the Tigers.
“I’d sort of been contemplating it a bit. It’s been a long year, my body’s a bit sore and I’ve got to start a new club. I didn’t want to set that back any further,” he said. “But I’d be doing myself a disservice and my family name a disservice if I didn’t go over there and lace up the boots for my country.
“(To’o and Crichton being unavailable) was more reason why I needed to, I needed to hold it down for the boys. They’ve got some things going on in the off-season, and rightfully so. I’ll go over there and hold it down.”
Jarome Luai’s decision to play for Samoa will impact the Wests Tigers’ pre-season. Luai’s commitment to captaining Samoa in the NRL off-season is a significant setback for the Tigers, who will be without their star signing for the first month of training. Leading NRL journalist Michael Carayannis explained on SEN radio that Benji Marshall would have definitely wanted Luai present from the start, not only for his on-field abilities but also for his leadership.
“With Jarome Luai choosing to captain Samoa on their England tour, it means he won’t return to train with the Tigers until the new year,” Carayannis said. “The Tigers would have loved to have him there as early as possible, especially after his late finish due to the grand final, but they won’t see him in Tigers colours until next year.”
“This is definitely a bit of a blow for the Tigers, as they need to establish key combinations and leadership in the preseason. But credit to Jarome—he’s committed to captaining Samoa, even as many of his teammates pulled out. He’s staying the course and leading his country.”
Jeremiah Nanai has switched his international allegiance, choosing to represent Samoa instead of Australia. Despite playing for Australia in the 2022 World Cup, the North Queensland star has decided to honor his Pacific heritage moving forward. Samoan coach Ben Gardiner confirmed that Nanai will be part of Samoa’s squad for their tour of England, following the lead of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who also switched allegiances in August after previously representing New Zealand.
“I told Jeremiah that Roger’s playing, and he responded, ‘Well, I’m definitely playing too.’ It’s a bit of a domino effect when elite players join the team,” Gardiner revealed.
Samoan squad for England Test series:
Anthony Milford, Blaize Seuala-Talagi, Deine Mariner, Francis Molo, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Izack Tago, Jake Tago, Jarome Luai, Jazz Tevaga, Jeral Skelton, Jeremiah Nanai, John Asiata, Josiah Pahulu, Junior Pauga, Keenan Palasia, Lazarus Vaalepu, Luciano Leilua, Paul Roache, Ricky Leutele, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shawn Blore, Simi Sasagi, Terrell May.