Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has announced his desire Jarome Luai staying at the club after it was revealed that the eighth star had parted ways with his management.
The Sydney Morning Herald revealed Luai is set to hit the market on November 1, due to his departure from SFX Sports Group.
Speaking after his side’s 44-18 win against the Bulldogs, Cleary was not happy with what he thought was Luai’s potential to be offered to other clubs.
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“I want him to stay, he wants to stay but it’s a bit difficult because if he has done that, if he has left his leadership, there are times when you can’t do anything, but he knows what we think of him and I know how much he loves the place,” he said.
The time period Cleary has mentioned is the three months players must wait until they can link up with another manager, which depends on NRL contracts.
With Luai starting at Penrith, and playing 101 games for the club, the coach explained that he is the man he wants “for a long time”.
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He is one of our group, he is a local boy,” he said.
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“It’s not the way he plays, it’s the way he brings the team together and we need him for a long time.”
Penrith also recently signed Daine Laurie who will return to his youth club and fight Luai for the eighth jersey
In Sunday afternoon’s clash against the Bulldogs, Nathan Cleary was solid in his return from a hamstring injury, coming up with two try assists while fellow halves Luai provided three.
Brian To’o and Tyrone Peachey both crossed twice.and
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