Star Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai has gifted long-term partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa the ultimate Christmas present in the form of an engagement ring.
Luai, who’s playing future is clouded in the midst of a contract saga, took to Instagram to announce his engagement to Ms Toleafoa, the mother of his three children Izzy, Akira and Halo.
He posted two pictures of the couple together, Ms Toleafoa showing off her diamond ring, with the caption “Forever with my best friend” and the hashtag “bestchristmas”.
Teammates and friends of the star were quick to offer the congratulations on the post.
“My guyyyys! Couldn’t be more happy for a deserving couple,” winger and close friend Brian To’o wrote.
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards wrote “Congrats guys!” with a love heart emoji.
The couple’s announcement comes as Luai’s Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary has dominated headlines thanks to his blossoming romance with Matilda’s star Mary Fowler.
Luai asked for leave from Penrith training last week, sparking rumours that he is hoping to leave the team a year early to join up with the Wests Tigers who he has apparently agreed to join from 2025.
It’s now been reported though that Luai hasn’t signed any contract with West Tigers and is still weighing up his future.
The Wests Tigers offer is believed to be $6m over five years, a deal too rich for Penrith to match. The Panthers could only table a two-year deal at $850,000 a season to retain their three-time premiership star.