Cleary backs great mate Luai to be main man for Wests Tigers

Panthers champion Nathan Cleary has backed his outgoing halves partner Jarome Luai to make Wests Tigers a more competitive outfit and drag them out of the cellar in 2025.

Cleary has played alongside Luai for a decade as they came through the ranks at Penrith together and he said the Samoa international is ready step up and be the chief playmaker for Wests Tigers next season.

“I think the way he stood up this year, not only with the way he played, but also his leadership just went to another level, and he is going to be a great asset for Wests Tigers,” Cleary said.

“I had a few special moments with him already and probably a few more over the next couple of days.

“I am going to miss him dearly, he is one of my best mates and we have playing alongside each other since we were 15 or 16 years old.

“I am just proud of him to be honest; it is not easy when the footy world sort of turns against you and the media turns against you, but he has corrected that with the way he plays and the way he goes about his business.

“We know how much he means to us, he is a family man and we have seen him grow up into the leader he is today.”

The pair shared a special moment on the field after the game, embracing as they soaked in the reality of their achievement in defeating the Storm to post their fourth successive premiership win.

“Best to ever do it,” Luai said when asked about what he said to Cleary in that moment.

“I don't think anyone will do this ever again, what we've done here.

Luai later took a moment to himself to sit by the goal posts and reflect on the end of an era.

“I got a bit emotional there," he said. "I am just really thankful, grateful to do what I've done and what I've learnt from these guys and coaches and … everyone before me, everyone who’s left the club, everyone’s who is here today, it's been a special life.

“It’s sort of sinking in now [that I am leaving] … but this is how I wanted it to be.

“This is how I wanted to go out and wanted to end. And that's what I'm more focused on, is enjoying what we've done tonight.

“I guess I'll deal with all of the emotional stuff later on down the track. But I'm so happy, man, I am over the moon.”

Luai said his time steering the ship for the Panthers this year in the absence of an injury Cleary had him confident he could bring his best to Wests Tigers next year.

“I've gotten a lot of confidence out of this year, especially with Nath being out,” said Luai, who will be hoping to carry on his good form going when he travels to England to “lace up the boots again” for Samoa in their tour of England.

"I've really taken it as an opportunity for myself to grow in that sort of role. I've never really had to play it since I've been here.

“I know I'm on my way out (here), but I feel like I'm ready for it.”

He was also looking forward to playing against the side he won four back-to-back rings with, joking he’d be giving his former teammates special attention.

“I'm going to take all the heads off, brah, especially Marto [Liam Martin], it will be fun.

“We joke about it now, it will probably make the game a bit more fun for myself, but I'll see how we go.”