Shane Richardson must be feeling the pressure as the Wests Tigers gear up for their clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Amid reports that the Tigers are preparing a lucrative $1 million-a-season, multi-year deal to secure rising star Lachlan Galvin, there’s growing interest in how this could impact Latu Fainu. The teenage halfback, who will partner Galvin in this round, is already on the radar of rival clubs, according to his agent.
Fainu, despite being under contract until 2027 on a reported $500,000-a-season deal, has drawn inquiries from other teams. His agent, Mario Tartak, acknowledged the situation, stating that the Tigers are still evaluating their plans for Galvin before determining Fainu’s long-term role. When asked about outside interest, Tartak confirmed: “Have I been asked? Absolutely. I’ve been asked when his contract is up.”
While formal negotiations with rival clubs can’t begin until November 1 of the final year of a player’s contract, that hasn’t stopped teams from keeping a close eye on developments. Another factor in the mix is Jarome Luai’s contract, which includes an exit clause for 2027, potentially shifting the Tigers’ priorities.
The Tigers face a tough decision—losing a promising halfback like Fainu could be risky, but carrying a backup on a $500,000 contract isn’t ideal from a salary cap perspective. Regardless, all eyes will be on Saturday night’s game, where Fainu has the opportunity to showcase his talent in Luai’s absence.
The match will feature the youngest playmaking duo in the NRL, as Fainu and Galvin take on the veteran Broncos pairing of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt. It’s remarkable to consider that when Reynolds won his first NRL title in 2014 and Hunt played in a Grand Final the following year, Fainu and Galvin were just nine years old in primary school.
While Galvin has made a name for himself in the NRL over the past year, it wasn’t long ago that Fainu was seen as the bigger prospect before a hamstring injury gave Galvin the chance to leapfrog him in the Tigers’ ranks. Former Tigers recruitment boss Scott Fulton, who signed Fainu from Manly before his departure, believes the young half has the potential to match Galvin’s talent in his own way.
“At the same age coming through juniors, Latu was a standout,” Fulton said. “I’d say he was on par with, if not slightly ahead of, Josh Schuster in terms of game management. Schuster had brilliant individual skill, but Latu controlled a game.”
Fulton remains confident that Fainu will become a star, as long as he gets a consistent run of games.
As for the broader NRL landscape, the ongoing debate about State of Origin eligibility has sparked fresh discussions. One proposed solution is to equalize payments for Origin and international matches, rather than paying Origin players $30,000 per game while international representatives receive significantly less.
Broncos prop Payne Haas is at the center of this debate, as he considers switching his allegiance to Samoa after this year’s Origin series. League legend Gorden Tallis questioned whether financial incentives are influencing players’ decisions, suggesting that leveling the pay scale would reveal where players’ true priorities lie.
Regardless of the politics, Haas’ potential decision to represent Samoa should be applauded rather than criticized. Given his New South Wales roots, he remains eligible for the Blues while also honoring his family’s heritage on the international stage.
Ultimately, the game must evolve with its growing Pacific influence, and changes to eligibility rules should reflect the modern landscape of international rugby league.
