Peter Sterling, a Parramatta Eels and NRL great, has issued a warning to Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai as he prepares to make a decision on his future.
The Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers, and Canterbury Bulldogs are all thought to be interested in the great five-eighth, who is out of contract at the end of 2024.
According to News Corp, a decision about his future will be made by the time he returns for pre-season training on December 8.
Despite the Wests Tigers reportedly paying Luai’s management $4.5 million over four seasons, Sterling has urged Luai to take his time and carefully consider his future.
“I know back in my time at Parramatta, there were opportunities to go elsewhere but you have to weigh up a lot of things, especially the fact that you’re at a club that’s successful,” he said in an interview with 9News Sydney.
“Are you satisfied with where you live and how things are going?” Do you disrupt that while not knowing if you’re going to appreciate where you’re going?”
While Luai’s decision is expected soon, the Panthers have announced they will not match the bid, but sources say they have given the representative star a two-year contract extension for $1.7 million.
One of the finest halfbacks of all time, and a major member of the Eels’ history.
“It’s never all about the money,” Sterling stated.
“First and foremost, if you go for the money, you’re going for the wrong reason.”
“Obviously, it’s a major consideration, but there are many others.”
“He’ll end up making the right decision and it’ll be the choice that his gut and his heart tells him is the best way to go,” he said.
It is said that Luai has just over two weeks to decide where he will play rugby league beginning in 2025.
