NRL legend Billy Slater believes there could possibly be a “swap” between new-look Wests Tigers halves pairing Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin this season.
Within the largest transfer of the low season, Luai moved to Harmony on a multi-year deal, with the membership investing loads of cash in Penrith’s four-time premiership winner – mentioned to be $6m over the size of the deal.
The 28-year-old starred alongside Nathan Cleary throughout his time on the Panthers, however may have a complete new problem forward of him with the picket spooners.
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Jarome Luai throughout the Tigers’ pre-season. Getty
Luai will put on the No.7 jumper and hyperlink up with younger gun Galvin, who was a uncommon shining gentle for the three way partnership in 2024, to kind a top quality halves mixture.
However in response to Slater, there could possibly be greater than meets the attention between them.
“It would not shock me if they really swap positions and Galvin truly performed that halfback function,” he mentioned on 9’s Billy Slater Podcast.
“He is an actual on-baller, he likes to be concerned, whereas Luai has in all probability performed his greatest soccer simply sitting off a bit of bit, like when he performs with Nathan Cleary.
“They mightn’t swap the numbers, however they could swap roles of who’s extra dominant.”
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Slater additionally argued the Tigers had “practically the very best backbone within the comp” however stopped wanting echoing Shane Richardson‘s feedback final 12 months that it held prime billing.
Lachlan Galvin is likely one of the NRL’s greatest younger gamers. Getty
As for his or her hopes of that includes in September for the primary time in 15 years, Slater believes the Tigers could make it occur in Benji Marshall‘s second full season on the helm.
“I completely assume they’ll,” he mentioned.
“It is as much as them and clearly everybody has bought the optimistic view of enjoying finals right now of 12 months … I believe they actually can play finals.”
Marshall’s males will kick off their marketing campaign in opposition to the Knights on March 8.
