As Jarome Luai gears up for his last match with the Wests Tigers, Benji Marshall has stepped forward to defend the star five-eighth amidst recent controversies. Luai is set to face his former teammates from Penrith on Sunday, marking not only a significant game but also his farewell before transitioning to Parramatta for the upcoming season.
Last weekend, Luai participated in a golf tournament at the Royal Port Moresby Golf Club, where he met with PNG Prime Minister James Marape and the winner of the PNG Open, Josh Armstrong. His involvement in this event drew mixed reactions, particularly since Luai's decision to travel to Papua New Guinea followed his announcement to join the Chiefs, which had already garnered much media attention.
Marshall, the Tigers coach, commented on the situation, emphasizing that he does not see Luai's choice to extend his stay as an issue. He stated that players often make such decisions during their time off, and it should not detract from Luai's contributions to the team. Marshall reassured that by this time next week, the club would no longer need to stress over Luai's third-party commitments.
"It's his time off. He paid to change his flights and not come back with us," said Marshall. "What he chooses to do in his time off, that's up to him." As the team prepares for the future, the focus remains on Luai's final performance, setting the stage for new beginnings ahead.