NRL legend Billy Slater believes there may very well be a “swap” between new-look Wests Tigers halves pairing Jarome Luai and Lachlan Galvin this season.
Within the greatest 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 an entire new problem forward of him with the wood 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 high quality halves mixture.
However in line with Slater, there may very well 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 finest soccer simply sitting off somewhat 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 “almost the very best backbone within the comp” however stopped wanting echoing Shane Richardson‘s feedback final 12 months that it held high billing.
Lachlan Galvin is likely one of the NRL’s finest 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 suppose they’ll,” he mentioned.
“It is as much as them and clearly everybody has obtained the optimistic view of taking part in finals presently of 12 months … I believe they actually can play finals.”
Marshall’s males will kick off their marketing campaign towards the Knights on March 8.
