It has been nearly a fortnight since the Wests Tigers confirmed that co-captain and star five-eighth Jarome Luai will leave the club after just two seasons, bringing an early end to what was originally meant to be a five-year contract.<\/p>\n
While the early release of one of the game\u2019s most high-profile stars initially came as a shock, the decision has allowed the Tigers to fully embrace their long-term vision rather than their short-term ambitions.<\/p>\n
Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Instead of committing a significant portion of their salary cap \u2013 approximately $1.2 million \u2013 to one marquee player, the Tigers can now redirect those funds towards retaining the talented young core they believe will shape the club\u2019s future.<\/p>\n \u201cI applaud Tigers for this,\u201d Matthew Johns said on Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI was told this a few weeks ago, they\u2019re trying to re-sign a number of really good players like the Fainu brothers.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re tight in the cap. They\u2019ve had to let a few go (and are) going to have to let a few (more) players go. This is easy.\u201d<\/p>\n Jarome Luai will depart for the Eels at season\u2019s end.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n The added flexibility in their cap will be crucial as they look to lock in brothers Latu Fainu and Samuela Fainu on long-term deals and strengthen other areas of their roster, including the spine.<\/p>\n \u201cThis process hasn\u2019t happened overnight \u2013 we\u2019ve been talking for the past five weeks openly and honestly about where we\u2019re at as a club and in terms of Jarome,\u201d Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve made a decision based on what we think is best for our long-term future at our club. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been open and transparent on it and had open conversations as men and to Jarome\u2019s credit, he accepted it really well.<\/p>\n Marshall\u2019s comments reinforce that Luai\u2019s departure was driven by the club\u2019s desire to create the financial flexibility needed to lock down their emerging stars.<\/p>\n With one of the NRL\u2019s most exciting young cores coming through the ranks, the Tigers are backing their next generation to become the foundation of the club\u2019s future.<\/p>\n Here, foxsports.com.au highlights the current and future stars to watch as the Tigers build out their roster in life after Luai.<\/p>\n ‘Something’s Transpired’ – Crawley | 02:48<\/p>\n THE FAINU BROTHERS<\/p>\n At the heart of the next generation at the Tigers \u2013 and the primary reason behind the decision to move on from Luai \u2013 are brothers Latu and Samuela Fainu. <\/p>\n Seen as a future captain of the club, multiple reports indicate that the Tigers are preparing to hand Samuela a lucrative long-term contract extension to fend off strong interest from the PNG Chiefs.<\/p>\n It is understood that the new deal will include a significant salary upgrade, reflecting the club\u2019s desire to build its future around him.<\/p>\n That urgency has only intensified as he can negotiate and speak to rival teams from November 1.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen Jarome Luai signed with PNG there was a gentlemen\u2019s agreement that PNG wouldn\u2019t chase Tigers players out of respect to Jarome,\u201d CODE Sports reporter Brent Read explained on NRL 360<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cBut now that Jarome is leaving, that\u2019s open slather. We are talking guys like Samuela Fainu who is on the open market on November 1.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have, but they have got to get it done before November 1.<\/p>\n \u201cI am sure they are trying to re-sign him right now, but it\u2019s left the door ajar if he\u2019s not done by November 1. If he\u2019s on the market on November 1 I think PNG will have a red-hot go at him.\u201d<\/p>\n Samuela Fainu has found himself on the radar of the PNG Chiefs.Source: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n WIN-WIN: WHY LUAI\u2019S PNG SWITCH IS THE RIGHT MOVE<\/a><\/p>\n Luai\u2019s departure has also allowed Latu to be fast-tracked into the No. 6 jersey and make it his own.<\/p>\n The youngest member of the Fainu family, the playmaker has long been touted for a big future in the NRL, having signed a record-breaking contract at 16-years-old with the Manly Sea Eagles.<\/p>\n Regarded as one of the most naturally gifted young halves in rugby league, the Guildford Owls and Wentworthville Magpies junior was discovered by Scott Fulton, who played a key role in helping bring him through the ranks at the Sea Eagles.<\/p>\n Fulton and his father, Immortal Bob Fulton, were among those who saw his potential early, with the young half earning significant praise before he had even turned 18.<\/p>\n \u201cIf he reaches his potential, he\u2019s an exceptional player. He is the one that really good judges, going back to when (Bob Fulton) was still alive, had spoken about for a long time,\u201d foxsports.com.au\u2019s Paul Crawley said on NRL 360<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just hasn\u2019t happened at this point has it? His time might be now, I hope it is.\u201d<\/p>\n Latu Fainu came through the ranks at the Manly Sea Eagles.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n Although his opportunities have been limited to just 34 first-grade appearances, he has consistently shown glimpses that have made him one of the most highly-rated players and that he has what it takes to succeed in the NRL.<\/p>\n Yet to be given an extended opportunity in his preferred five-eighth role, Fainu arguably possesses the highest ceiling of any player at the Tigers.<\/p>\n Highly intelligent with the ball in his hands, he has long separated himself from his peers with his attacking skill, composure, running game, and field vision.<\/p>\n \u201c100 per cent (I want to stay here long-term). We love it here. What Benji and the club has done for me and my family (it\u2019s amazing),\u201d Fainu said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve did a lot for us and we just want to give back to them.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, his toughness and defensive ability have also helped him stand out, with Fainu regularly trusted to defend in the middle of the field despite his smaller frame.<\/p>\n Such was his reputation as a junior that Lachlan Galvin was forced to shift into the back-row during his schooling days, with Fainu occupying the five-eighth role in the halves instead.<\/p>\n \u201cLatu was the youngest, but he was the gun,\u201d a family friend of the Fainus, Haumole Olakau\u2019atu, told foxsports.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was probably the best out of us growing up because he had that heart and he wasn\u2019t scared of anyone and their size too.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always had that belief in every single one of them to make NRL. If anything, it was probably just me that I\u2019m surprised I made it this far myself.\u201d<\/p>\n NEXT MAN UP: TIGERS TRYING TO RE-SIGN BROTHERS<\/a><\/p>\n The young playmaker has the highest ceiling of anyone at the Tigers.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n While Latu and Samuela are seen as the potential faces of the Tigers, the club is also working behind the scenes to reunite them with another member of their family, Manase Fainu.<\/p>\n According to The Sydney Morning Herald<\/a>, coach Benji Marshall has approached ARLC Chairman and new NRL Executive Chairman Peter V\u2019landys to test the NRL\u2019s temperature on a return to football for Manase once he is released from jail.<\/p>\n Incarcerated since December 2022 after being jailed for the stabbing of a Mormon youth leader in 2019<\/a>, the former NRL hooker will be released on October 30.<\/p>\n And despite his time away from the game, he has remained focused on returning to the NRL, where he previously played 34 matches for the Sea Eagles between 2018 and 2019 and represented the Tongan national team.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope I can be given a chance to play NRL again one day. I am keeping busy and trying to keep fit with that goal in mind every day,\u201d Manase told CODE Sports<\/a> in July of 2025 via his lawyer Paul McGirr.<\/p>\n It is understood that with the money freed up from Luai\u2019s departure, the Tigers have the financial flexibility to explore the possibility of adding him to their roster.<\/p>\n That has seen Tigers CEO Shaun Mielekamp indicate the door remains open for a potential return, and he could be offered a train-and-trial deal as early as next year.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not exactly sure what his journey looks like in reality, but one thing I know is he\u2019s already part of our family by association,\u201d Tigers CEO Shaun Mielekamp told The Herald<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll ensure we do the right thing when the opportunity comes up.\u201d<\/p>\n Manase Fainu could return to the NRL as early as 2027.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n However, any potential return would be subject to approval from the NRL, with the governing body set to have a significant say in whether he is permitted to resume his professional career.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, we\u2019ve got to get some people onside over at the NRL,\u201d Manase\u2019s agent, Mario Tartak of Crown Sports Management, told The Reset Podcast in May<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m confident that everyone deserves a second chance. I\u2019m hopeful we can get him back. That\u2019s my dream.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s his parent\u2019s dream, and his brothers\u2019. And let me say this to you, he called me from jail yesterday \u2026 and he said, \u2018I will play rugby league again.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cI said, \u2018Are you sure?\u2019 And he said, \u2019100 per cent\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no guarantees, but let me tell you, if the NRL will give Manase a second chance, I know they will never regret that.\u201d<\/p>\n This comes as Sione Fainu remains contracted until the end of the 2029 season.<\/p>\n Luai set to earn $3M in 3rd party deals | 01:32<\/p>\n THE OTHER CANDIDATE TO REPLACE LUAI<\/p>\n While much of the focus has centred around the Fainu brothers, the Wests Tigers rebuild boasts more than just these two players following the departure of Jarome Luai.<\/p>\n Latu Fainu may be the favourite to accompany Adam Doueihi in the halves next season, but the Tigers also have another emerging playmaker in Javon Andrews waiting in the wings.<\/p>\n A highly-touted prospect, Andrews is enjoying a breakout season in the NSW Cup after returning to the club after a stint in the Gold Coast Titans pathways system.<\/p>\n Leading the competition in both try assists (23) and line-break assists (25), the Under-19s QLD Maroons representative has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous attacking playmakers.<\/p>\n Blessed with sharp footwork and great attacking vision, the youngster was named last year\u2019s Under-19s State of Origin Player of the Match and is poised to make his NRL debut this week.<\/p>\n