LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Wests Tigers have recently signed another member of the Luai family, bolstering their pathways squads in preparation for the 2026 season.
While Jarome Luai, the older brother, is taking center stage for the club under new coach Benji Marshall at the NRL level, his younger brother, Calvary Luai, is set to join the Balmain Tigers for the upcoming Under-19s SG Ball Cup season. Calvary is recognized as a promising junior talent.
Often compared to Brian To'o for his impressive ball-carrying and defensive skills, Calvary recently had a successful stint with the St Marys Saints in the Don Feltis Cup, where they clinched the title by defeating the Minchinbury Jets in the grand final.
Primarily positioned in the centres, Calvary's addition comes at a crucial time as the Balmain Tigers work on rebuilding their team following the exits of Cooper Young (Dragons), Jordan Bunt (Raiders), and Marc Tannous (Sharks). Additionally, last year's captain, Jared Hayward, has aged out of eligibility for the competition.
"He's a quiet achiever. He keeps his head down and gets the job done. A totally different player to Jarome," noted Leary, Calvary's head coach for the Under-17s team at St Marys Saints.
"Calvary's just that guy that does it on the football field. He's a very strong centre who takes a lot of carries and lights up the field. I don't think he has unlocked his full potential yet.
"Last year he was very unlucky not to make rep footy, but this year he worked twice as hard, focusing on his fitness and skills, and is finally reaping the rewards."