Jarome Luai’s father added to the worries of the Wests Tigers after their 64-0 humiliation at the hands of the Storm by positing on social media that his son should activate a get-out clause in his deal.
Luai has a clause that allows him to be free to speak to other clubs after November 1 and his father Martin posted on social media “Get out clause activated” after the loss in Melbourne.
The 28-year-old signed a $6 million deal until 2029, but this masthead revealed he has a get-out clause in his favour that enables him to go to market after November 1.
The off-field commentary by Luai’s father only piled on pressure after the inept on-field performance by the Tigers.
Martin Luai’s social media post.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall described the performance as embarrassing.
“We’ve got to be better than that, we’ve built standards that we want to live by, and today we didn’t live by any of them,” Marshall said.
“Everyone’s disappointed, embarrassed, probably a few other words you could use.
“There’s losing the game and then there’s being beaten, and we got actually beat today.
“We’ve got a team that usually fights for everything and I just didn’t see the same fight today.”
Ryan Papenhuyzen gave NSW State of Origin selectors a timely reminder of his value, scoring three times within the first 20 minutes of the match.
The Storm raced to a 34-0 lead by half-time in their Sunday afternoon clash at AAMI Park, then answered coach Craig Bellamy’s demand to keep their opponents scoreless.
A record-breaking Papenhuyzen was almost untouchable as he scored three times in the opening 17 minutes, using his game smarts and speed to cut the Tigers’ defence to shreds.
The electric fullback then crossed for his fourth try in the 46th minute to equal his previous best try tally.
Papenhuyzen’s goal-kicking brought up a personal tally of 36 points, breaking Matt Geyer’s 26-year-old record for the most points by a Storm player in a match.
The result also equalled Melbourne’s biggest win, coincidentally coming against Wests Tigers in 2001.
Still waiting to make his Origin debut, Papenhuyzen put his hand up to wear the NSW No.1 jersey or for a utility role when the squad is named next week.
Jarome Luai during Sunday’s loss to the Storm.Credit: Getty Images
Marshall was part of the most recent Wests Tigers side to beat the Storm, back in 2018, with lock Alex Twal the only player remaining from that line-up.
But those celebratory times were a distant memory as Melbourne gave the Tigers, who entered the match on the back of two wins, a premiership reality check.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona, one of only two Storm players remaining from the 2018 side who suffered a one-point loss to Wests Tigers, had a barnstorming game off the bench with eight tackle busts.
Playing only his second match of the season due to suspension, concussion and then fitness issues, the giant prop gave the Tigers’ right-hand side defence nightmares, then charged over for a second-half try.
The Storm hit the 50-0 mark with 20 minutes left on the clock, with second-rower Eli Katoa running on to a Cameron Munster pass.
Full-time couldn’t have come soon enough for the visitors.
But Melbourne weren’t done, with tries by Munster and Bronson Garlick adding to the misery as the hosts sought to make a statement after blowing a likely victory over Canberra last round due to poor discipline.
Bellamy was delighted they kept their opponents from crossing the line, as well as their points spree.
“For me, it’s always probably the defensive game, and we probably haven’t stood up to those standards that we probably expected earlier in the year,” he said.
“It’s only one breath, but it was much improved as the Tigers can throw plenty at you, so that was the most pleasing thing for me, but I thought we scored some really good tries as well.
“It was a pretty complete performance.”
AAP and staff reporters
