The Wests Tigers prodigy was all the talk heading into the PM XIII game.
NRL fans have highlighted Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai’s arrival as a significant calming influence on young talent Lachlan Galvin, following the Wests Tigers player’s underwhelming performance in his Prime Minister XIII debut. After showcasing his abilities during his rookie season in 2024, new coach Brad Fittler selected the 19-year-old Galvin to gain valuable representative experience against PNG.
Galvin was chosen alongside Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty and veteran hooker Damien Cook to help guide the inexperienced team in the well-known clash with the passionate PNG side. This marked Galvin’s first experience with international rugby, following a year of exciting Wests Tigers fans in what was another tough wooden spoon season. Benji Marshall likely kept a close eye on the game to assess Galvin’s progress.
Despite playing for a last-place team, Galvin’s impressive form has led to him being considered a future NSW halves representative. With Jarome Luai set to join next year, Galvin was given a chance to demonstrate his progress in the No.6 jersey, playing alongside some of the sport’s top talents.
However, many believed Galvin fell short of expectations against a tough PNG side, with the PM XIII struggling early in the first half. A strong breeze favored PNG, allowing them to take a 12-4 lead going into halftime.
Galvin was taken off in the 25th minute for former Wests Tigers five-eighth Luke Brooks and the Manly player changed the game immediately having gone down the blindside to set up a try for Jacob Liddle. The speed of the ruck changed with the introduction of Brooks and Liddle as they took advantage of a tired PNG team at the end of the first-half.
Galvin came back on, with rolling subs allowed in the PM XIII game, and eventually ended up with a try-assist off a grubber. Although this was his only major involvement with the youngster unable to get into the game.
Galvin committed four errors and only made two kicks throughout the entire game. During his 58 minutes on the field, he didn’t provide the excitement fans have come to expect from him in the NRL. Many felt the team’s dynamic shifted when Luke Brooks entered at halfback, taking control with his strong running game.
“Kaeo Weekes and Luke Brooks were outstanding,” Greg Alexander said on Monday after reviewing the game. Unfortunately, Galvin failed to stand out in what was arguably the biggest game of his career so far.
Greg Alexander defended Lachlan Galvin amid discussions surrounding Jarome Luai’s arrival at the Wests Tigers, dismissing suggestions that Galvin should switch to a back-rower role. The Penrith legend emphasized that Galvin, at just 19 years old and having completed only one NRL season, needs time to develop.
“Can everyone stop talking about Lachie Galvin, who just finished his first season…played in the PM XIII on the weekend and was picked at five-eighth. Can we stop saying he is going to be a back-rower? Can we just let him play five-eighth for as long as he wants?” Alexander said on SEN Radio. “Let him go, let him do his stuff in the No.6.”
Coach Brad Fittler acknowledged the game as a valuable learning experience for Galvin, with PNG providing a higher level of competition. Meanwhile, Wests Tigers fans are eagerly anticipating Luai’s arrival in 2025, recognizing how crucial his presence will be, especially as Galvin has struggled to control games on his own. Many are closely following Luai’s performances for Samoa, as he will take on a pivotal role next year, transitioning from five-eighth to halfback at his new club.
Wests Tigers have been dealt a setback with Jarome Luai’s decision to participate in Samoa’s international tour of England. Many believed Luai might choose to skip the tour, especially after players like Nathan Cleary and Liam Martin withdrew from the Kangaroos squad. Several of Luai’s Penrith Panthers teammates, including Brian To’o and Stephen Crichton, also withdrew from international duty following a demanding season, which saw Penrith secure their fourth consecutive premiership.
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall was likely hoping that Jarome Luai would opt out of extending his already long season with a tour of England for Samoa, as this decision will delay Luai’s arrival for the Tigers’ pre-season. Despite playing most of the 2024 season for the Panthers, Luai chose to represent his country.
“I’d been contemplating it for a while. It’s been a long year, my body’s a bit sore, and I’ve got a new club to start with. I didn’t want to push that back any further,” Luai said. “But I’d be doing a disservice to myself and my family name if I didn’t go over and lace up for my country.
“(With To’o and Crichton unavailable) it gave me more reason to go. I needed to hold it down for the boys. They’ve got things to deal with in the off-season, and rightfully so. I’ll go over and hold it down for them.”