The chance to finally be given “the keys to the team” was the driving factor behind Jarome Luai’s decision to move from NRL heavyweights Penrith to longtime strugglers Wests Tigers in 2025.

The biggest trade saga of the NRL off-season came to an end on Wednesday when Penrith’s triple premiership-winning five-eighth announced his future plans.

Luai had been linked with the Tigers and Canterbury for months after it became apparent the high-flying Panthers would not be able to match their offer of a seven-figure salary.

Confirming his move to the back-to-back wooden spooners on a five-year deal, Luai insisted the call had not been just about finances.

“People think it would just be [money]; but it was getting the keys to the team, that was the other motivation,” he said.

Luai is untested at NRL level as a week-in, week-out organising half, a point made clear by the Penrith coach, Ivan Cleary, as the Panthers fought to keep him.

But Nathan Cleary’s long-term lieutenant said he had become hungry for more responsibility since serving as a game-manager during Samoa’s charge to the 2022 World Cup final.

“Ever since then, I’ve longed for that,” he said. “Being my own guy, writing my own story, was another big part of [the move]. I can’t wait.”

Luai’s signing is a major coup for the Tigers, who have struggled to attract elite talent amid a 12-year finals drought.