Penrith recruit Blaize Talagi says he’s keen to pick the brain of Jarome Luai after revealing his ambition to make the four-time Panthers premiership winner’s former No.6 jersey his own. Luai is set to join the Wests Tigers in 2025 after signing a massive five-year deal reportedly worth around $6 million to become the marquee player for coach Benji Marshall’s side.
Luai’s move leaves a huge hole to fill at the Panthers, with Jack Cole and Brad Schneider also vying to play five-eighth alongside Nathan Cleary after both impressed at times in the halves for Penrith in 2024. But Talagi – who was a revelation on the wing for the Eels in his rookie NRL season this year – has revealed that his preference is to take Luai’s old five-eighth jersey at the Panthers next season.
Talagi played two games in the halves for Parramatta after Mitch Moses suffered a foot injury early in the season but it wasn’t a great fit for the Eels and they lost both games. However, the 19-year-old shone when he was used as an outside back for Parramatta and was particularly effective on the wing as his blistering speed and finishing abilities came to the fore.
Indeed, Talagi’s ability to cover either the halves or outside backs leaves him in line to replace Luai or winger Sunia Turuva, who is also set to join the Tigers from 2025. But Talagi says it’s the playmaking role at Penrith that he intends to make his own and the youngster is keen to learn as much as possible from Luai during their time in camp together for Samoa.
“It (five-eighth) is where I’d like to play, for sure,” Talagi revealed. “But I’m happy to play anywhere, to be honest. Whatever happens, I’m happy but I want to just work hard and earn it… Whatever I can learn from him (Luai), I will. He’s got that sort of aura about him.
“He’s just a real leader, he leads by his actions, leads by his words. I’m just looking forward to learning off him. When you’re a six or five-eighth, you sort of look up to the top people in the game who play that position. Jarome’s one of them so whatever I can learn from him, I’m looking forward to.”
Blaize Talagi has designs on Jarome Luai’s No.6 spot at Penrith
Talagi says he’s particularly keen to learn as much as he can from Luai about playing alongside Cleary in the halves, as he looks to form a deadly partnership with the superstar No.7 next year. “I’m looking forward to being a real sponge and taking in a lot of things from him. He’s definitely someone to look up to and a leader of the group,” Talagi added. He’s played with Nathan for so long and whatever I can learn from him, I’ll take in. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Samoans take on England in Wigan on Saturday in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-final in which the Pacific Island nation snatched an upset 27-26 win. Luai was instrumental in that victory for the Samoans and alongside Bulldogs superstar Stephen Crichton, will again be vital to their chances of upsetting England in the two-Test series.
Luai says he’s thrilled to be a mentor for Talagi and was quick to talk up the strengths of the talented youngster. But the four-time premiership winner cautioned that the 19-year-old wouldn’t be filling his shoes at the Panthers in 2025. “My shoes? No one can fill these shoes, brother,” Luai said.
“I’ve seen what he (Talagi) can do on the field. He’s a lot quieter than I am; hopefully I can bring that out in camp, he can let his hair down and be himself around the boys. He’s got strike with the ball and he’s got the talent to make things happen out of nothing. He’s one to watch for the future.”
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