Jarome Luai is being tipped to sign with the PNG Chiefs from 2028 in a bombshell decision.

The Tigers star visited the country this weekend to meet with club brass and Prime Minister James Marape.

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Luai landed back in Sydney on Monday, avoiding the large media contingent at the Kingsford Smith Airport by being privately ushered into a car awaiting on the tarmac.

Luai has an option in his current contract which allows him to sign with another team from 2028 if he executes it by this Thursday (April 30).

Jarome Luai leaving Sydney airport after arriving from Port Moresby in a private charter flight on Monday.Source: News Corp AustraliaJarome Luai departs a private jet at Sydney airport.Source: Channel 9

According to journalists Brent Read and Dean Ritchie, the Tigers’ co-captain could very well be the Chiefs’ marquee signing.

“They’ve pitched to Jarome Luai why he should come to PNG,” Read said on NRL360.

“He’s got till Thursday to take up an option with the Wests Tigers for next year and I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a decision in the next couple of days from Jarome Luai.

“He’s got a clause that if he executes that clause, he could play for the Tigers next year and go to the Chiefs in 2028.

“If he doesn’t execute the clause, he is a free agent, he can do whatever he wants next year and still go to PNG in 2028 so he has the whip hand at the moment, there’s no doubt about that.

“In an ideal world, he would make a decision about PNG in the next couple of days and inform the Tigers of his call.

“I think it’s in the balance but if I was a betting man, I think Jarome Luai is going to be at PNG in 2028. He’s the sort of guy who loves a challenge.”

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Ritchie added: “The mail I’m getting is that if he’s edging one way, it’s potentially to go and sign with them (PNG).

“Jarome loves being the man. That’s why he went to the Tigers, to be the leader.”

To entice Australian-based players to sign with the Chiefs and uproot their life and move to Port Moresby, the NRL’s 19th franchise will be able to offer tax-free salaries to potential targets.

Read says that this fact would mean Luai becomes the NRL’s highest-paid player if he ends up signing a deal in the vicinity of his current $1.2 million per season contract.

“The other big factor we can’t ignore is the money. By going there, even if they pay him what he’s on at the Tigers, he’s going to earn in his hand an extra $1 million over two years because it’s tax free money,” Read said.

“The money is ridiculous. Aside from the contract money, there are third party deals over there which is all tax free as well. He would instantly become the highest-paid player in rugby league.”

While he’s not the sole reason for the vast improvement, the Tigers have been trending upwards since Luai arrived at the club.

After three wooden spoons in four years, the Tigers finished 12th in 2025 and through eight rounds this season, sit in third.

Luai is all but assured to be at the club for the next two seasons but with the Tigers flying at the moment after several years of misery, what would an announcement that the star playmaker is set to leave do?

“Would Tigers fans be thinking these are the headlines we don’t want to read?” Ritchie said.

“I don’t think it will derail them, but there will be disappointment.

“He’s entitled to do what he wants but given the timing and there’s finally success at Concord and their chief playmaker essentially leaves.

Read however thinks there’s a greater problem which could play out if Luai signs with PNG.

“I think the bigger concern for the Tigers is that Jarome is a bit of a pied piper. Blokes follow him. So if Jarome goes, who wants to go there with him. Does Sunia Turuva want to go there with him? Does the May boys want to go?” Read said.

“I think for me, if I’m a Tigers fan, that the biggest concern. The issue is what it does for the other guys in that playing group who are potentially off contract at the end of the year see Jarome go and say ‘that doesn’t look so bad’.”