Jarome Luai’s ongoing commitment to the PNG Chiefs is in the spotlight once again after the star playmaker caught some Tigers officials off-guard when he was snapped at a golf tournament in Port Moresby on the weekend.

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The Tigers star has already been busy this season juggling his Chiefs commitments, announcing last week that he had become the face of Pepsi in PNG.

Now Luai has been captured with PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Australian golfer Josh Armstrong, who claimed his first PGA of Australasia challenger win at the PNG Open.

“I love golf,” Luai, who was representing Pepsi PNG as its new brand ambassador, told The National.

“I’ve got a big love for golf so it’s good to see all the diverse cultures, corporates, and it’s just a great day for PNG and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Jarome Luai at the tournament.Source: Instagram

The Tigers granted him permission to fly to PNG earlier this year, although The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday that some club officials only learned of this latest trip when photos of Luai at the golf tournament were posted on social media.

Code Sports reporter Brent Read said on NRL 360 that it was his understanding that Luai had been cleared of injury by the Tigers’ medical staff and will play on Sunday against the Panthers.

He also clarified that Luai and all Tigers players had two days off given they were on a long turnaround before the Penrith clash.

Although fellow veteran rugby league reporter Dean Ritchie was less understanding of Luai’s appearance, calling it a “disgrace”.

“I think it’s a disgrace that he’s gone away yet again to fulfil a third party committment when he isn’t essentially due there until he starts in 2028. Why are the Tigers putting up with this?” Ritchie said on NRL 360.

“And Parramatta, welcome to Jarome’s world next year. It shouldn’t be happening. The Tigers or NRL should step in.

“Why is Jarome even asking? He should be going, ‘You know what? I’ve got to mentor players. I’ve got another couple of weeks on his contract. I’ve got one more game to go’. He should be in Concord helping the young kids.”

Jarome Luai and Josh Armstrong.Source: Instagram

That sparked a heated debate with Read, who pointed out that Luai would not have had anything to do at the club’s facilities given the players had been given Sunday and Monday off.

“So you want him to go to Concord during his two days off when there are no players there? What’s he going to do? Clean the gym,” Read said.

“There are a lot of players that do this. I think it’s a terrible look. There are a lot of players who do this as well. They just don’t get the coverage that he does.”

Former Tigers player Braith Anasta landed somewhere in the middle, declaring it is “not the end of the world” while also conceding it is “not a good look”.

“If I’m the Tigers I wouldn’t have allowed it,” Anasta added.

“And if I’m him or even his management, I’m saying, ‘Just hold off a week. You’ve signed a big deal. You’ve got big third parties. I know it’s the prime minister and I know it’s a big deal but you’re going to be there for whenever you want as long as you want for a long time now. You’re representing the Wests Tigers’. Show the respect to the fans and the playing group.”

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Earlier on Monday, Fox League commentator Andrew Voss was particularly scathing of the message Luai’s actions sent his current and soon-to-be teammates.

“Jarome Luai getting paid $24,000 this week as part of his contract money by the Tigers… is he obliged to fly home with the team and the young players he has to help?” Voss said on SEN Radio.

“He is a leader, and yet he is going off to Papua New Guinea to a golf day.

“Jarome, your duty with the Tigers basically end after next Sunday. You can do whatever you like… but you can’t be doing that.

“That’s not just a case of optics not looking good. That’s not a go.

“I am absolutely stunned by that. What are Parramatta thinking? What arrangement do Parramatta have with Jarome Luai and all these commitments to PNG?”

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Premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk shared similar frustrations last month after it was first revealed that Luai had signed a deal to become the face of Pepsi in PNG.

As part of that deal, Luai will be required to travel to PNG a few times throughout the 2027 season despite being contracted to the Eels.

“I’m not sure how the NRL can allow Jarome Luai to be contracted to the Tigers or Eels, but he can still service a third party agreement that is for a contract in 2028,” Cronk said on Fox League at the time.

“The NRL needs to fix that up. That is not on. We’re expanding and getting extra teams in the competition. You cannot have a player currently contracted servicing an agreement that’s expected to happen in 12 months’ time. Not on.”