Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai hopes teammate Brian To’o remains with the Panthers amid reports that the representative winger was seeking an early release from his contract. Last week, surprising reports suggested that To’o might be interested in playing elsewhere to secure a larger payday, with the Tigers being floated as a potential destination where he could continue to play alongside his current Panthers teammate and close friend Luai.
It was speculated that To’o believed he could command a significantly higher salary than his current $650,000-a-year contract, which ends at the conclusion of the 2027 NRL season. Watching close friends Stephen Crichton and Luai secure lucrative contracts with rival clubs reportedly led To’o to consider seeking a substantial deal elsewhere.
However, To’o quickly dispelled any rumors of his departure from Penrith, posting on Instagram last week to reassure Panthers fans. “Thanks for all the support fams. Nothing to see. Not going anywhere, no shopping here. Let’s get it,” he wrote.
In response to the To’o speculation, some thought Luai might have orchestrated the rumors. But the Penrith No. 6 denied any involvement and expressed his relief that To’o intends to remain a one-club player, even though it means they won’t be joining forces at the Wests Tigers.
“It was pretty funny when people started blaming me,” the five-eighth said. “I think they were always going to do that when they heard rumors about To’o’s exit. You sort of wonder where they originated from, and I don’t even think ‘Bizza’ (To’o) knows, which is pretty interesting.”
“I’ve been in his shoes. If you asked me three or four years ago if I was going to be a one-club player, I would have said ‘Yes.’ He’s in that boat. Hopefully, he stays here because he bleeds Penrith like we all do. At the end of the day, it’s a business, so whatever happens, I just want the best for him.”
The NSW and Samoa star still has three years left on his contract, with the triple premiership winner seen as a core member of the Penrith spine. To’o’s impact on the Panthers is immense, with his try-scoring ability being just the beginning; his experience and ability to make big meters in tough situations are invaluable.
The Panthers have had to shed stars over the past few years due to a tight salary cap. The Penrith playing group is famously close-knit, but the team will look significantly different in 2025 compared to their previous premiership-winning sides.
Luai and Sunia Turuva are the latest to leave, both signing big-money deals with the Tigers starting next year. While Luai won’t be playing alongside many of his close mates, who have either left the club or will remain at Penrith, he says their friendships will endure and will make their time together at State of Origin level even more special.
Crichton, Spencer Leniu, and To’o are three of Luai’s closest friends, and he won’t be playing with any of them at the club level next year. However, the crafty five-eighth hopes to reunite with his brothers in the Blues camp next year and says his move to the Tigers will only strengthen his determination to make the NSW team.
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