LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Wests Tigers standout half Jarome Luai has officially announced that he will assume the five-eighth position instead of halfback in the 2026 season.
Luai, who made the switch to the Tigers from Penrith Panthers ahead of the 2025 season, initially took on the halfback role during his early months with the club. However, after transitioning to the five-eighth position midway through the season, Luai experienced a significant boost in his performance. In a recent interview with News Corp, he acknowledged that his optimal position is the jersey number six, not seven.
"I know I said I came here to play seven, be Batman, whereas now I'm doing what this team needs me to be, and that's me at my best," Luai stated.
He continued, "I've been at my best in the six, letting me do what I do. Eyes-up footy, take a bit of pressure off my plate, and we've got guys that can do that. And it's just me trusting in my teammates now."
Luai, who represented the State of Origin again in 2025 but was unable to lead the Blues to victory in the series, was seen as the key player for the Tigers after his tenure at Penrith, where he contributed to four consecutive premiership victories.
Although Penrith could not secure a fifth consecutive title without Luai, they still managed to have a more successful season than the Tigers, who ended the year outside the top eight amidst controversies related to the club's ownership and management.