Luai’s impact will be ‘GI-like’
Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson has labelled Jarome Luai’s signing as “Greg Inglis” like as the Tigers celebrate the impending arrival of the threetime premiership winner.
Richardson also said Luai would become the face of the club at the Tigers.
Luai committed to a fiveyear deal worth about $6m on Wednesday, announcing he would leave Penrith at the end of 2024.
Richardson oversaw a host of key signings during South Sydney’s revival – most notably Inglis joining the Rabbitohs from Melbourne in 2011 and Roy Asotasi from Canterbury in 2007.
Like Luai, Asotasi went from a title-contending team to a lowly ranked side while Inglis’ signing helped turn South Sydney into a premiership threat.
“Roy was a major part of the statement of the rebuilding of Souths,” Richardson told SEN Breakfast. “He came on board in a similar situation to what Jarome has.
“The better is example is when we landed Greg Inglis. We were on the cusp when we landed Greg Inglis. The statement he made going to us instead of Brisbane was massive for where we were. From then on we never looked back.”
Richardson said the deal to sign Luai was signed on Tuesday night and he was unaware of Luai’s press conference until Wednesday morning.
“Every team requires a playmaker that makes a difference in the game,” Richardson said. “They are few and far between. Very occasionally do they come up, especially with a track record of winning three premierships. I’ve followed him since he was 16, 17 and he has always been a leader … he is a game-changer for us.”