The Parramatta Eels have emerged as the early favourites to sign Jarome Luai after bombshell reports that the Wests Tigers have granted the co-captain an early release. The shock move has raised major questions of the NRL joint-venture, with suggestions that it’s an admission the Luai signing has has been a “failure” for the club.
The four-time premiership winner joined from Penrith ahead of the 2025 season as the Tigers’ marquee signing on a $6 million, five-year deal. And while the experienced playmaker has helped transform the culture and results for Benji Marshall‘s side, the 12th-placed Tigers are still in danger of missing out on the finals for a 15th year in a row.
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall (L) has reportedly given co-captain Jarome Luai (R) the green light to leave early, with a rival NRL club emerging as favourites to sign him for next season. Pic: Getty
Luai agreed a big-money move to be the marquee player for the PNG Chiefs when they enter the NRL in 2028, after exercising one of the exit clauses in his Tigers contract. And after some inconsistent form off the back of an injury earlier this season, and the Tigers looking to extend some of their talented crop of young players, Marshall has reportedly given Luai the green light to leave early.
The 29-year-old will now look to secure a one-year deal at a rival NRL club for next season before he makes the move to PNG in 2028. And the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Tigers are willing to chip in $200,000 of his $1.2 million a season contract for next year, leaving potential suitors needing to stump up the remaining $1 million.
It’s understood the Perth Bears are among a number of clubs interested in the playmaker’s services, but Luai is hesitant to uproot his family from Sydney before they move to PNG. That’s put the Eels in prime position to land Luai for next season, in a move that would unite him with former Origin halves partner, Mitchell Moses.
“It’s like anything when it comes to quality players, we’re always interested in them,” Parramatta coach Jason Ryles told SMH in response to the Luai links. “At the same time, I need to find out more information in regards to it.”
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has responded to reports the Eels are the favourites to sign Wests Tigers star Jarome Luai for next season. Pic: Getty
Tigers scrutined over shock Jarome Luai decision
Luai appeared to confirm the reports that he had been granted an early exit from the Tigers after posting a cryptic message on social media that read: “Gods [sic] plan, not mine”. And it’s sparked suggestions from veteran NRL reporter Paul Crawley that the decision from the Tigers is an admission from the club that Luai’s big-money signing has been a failure.
“For mine, it’s a concession that the Jarome Luai $1.2 million experiment hasn’t succeeded,” Crawley said on NRL 360. “We’re heading into Round 19 and mathematically they’re still a chance of playing the finals and they’ve told their skipper he’s not wanted for next year… it hasn’t been an abject failure, but it hasn’t been a success.”
