Gorden Tallis has slammed Jarome Luai’s messy exit from the Wests Tigers and believes it could have lasting consequences for the star’s relationships with other players inside the NRL.

A four-time premiership-winner, Luai originally agreed to join the Tigers on a five-year contract, but lasted just two seasons at the joint venture before activating a get-out clause in his deal to sign with the PNG Chiefs for the 2028 season

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His exit them became increasingly complicated when the Tigers granted him to explore his options for 2027 which ultimately led to a move to the Parramatta Eels for a single season before then linking up with the Chiefs.

Following the messy departure, Tallis believes the saga could have changed the way he is viewed inside the NRL and particularly among the teammates he has left behind at the Tigers.

“I wouldn’t like it if he was playing with me. The dressing room changed,” Tallis said on NRL 360.

“If he’s signed for PNG and he’s really powerful amongst players and he’s there going to spruik the good word about PNG, there wouldn’t be too many Tigers players who would go with him.

Jarome Luai’s messy exit from the Tigers could have lasting consequences during his time in the NRL.Source: Getty Images

“He turned his back on them and Parramatta is going to think the same because he’s only there for six months and then goes to PNG.

“The biggest thing in rugby league is trust.”

The comments from the Queensland Maroons icon came before CODE Sports reporter Michael Carayannis argued that both the Tigers and Luai have a reason to feel aggrieved with one another by how the situation has unfolded.

“I feel like both parties feel like they’ve been disrespected,” he said.

“Jarome Luai left Penrith on great terms because it didn’t feel like he was disrespected.

“I have no doubt the Tigers feel like they were disrespected during this process and Jarome Luai feels the same.”

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While Tallis suggested that his future teammates at the Eels may also feel disrespected he is on there for 12 months, The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read highlighted the different of Luai situation’s at the Tigers and Parramatta.

“There’s a distinct difference between the Tigers situation and the Parra situation. Parramatta know what they are getting,” Read said.

“They’re getting him for one year. The Tigers situation was we’re getting him for five years.

“He’s got out clauses (but) we think he’s going to stay. Then he left. Parramatta know what they are getting. They get him for 12 months (and) he’s come for one purpose.”

The fallout from Luai’s departure continued on Tuesday evening with his decision to miss the club’s awards night which added another layer to the growing tensions surrounding his exit.

Read described the decision as a much bigger breakdown between the two parties.

“It’s a culmination of a whole lot of big deals. The season slowly unravelled. The relationship with the Tigers unravelled,” he said.

“If it was an isolated incident you would say it’s not such a big deal, but it’s a culmination of him joining PNG and it all unfolded after that.

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Former Tigers star Braith Anasta revealed he was disappointed by Luai’s decision believing it was the final opportunity to show his appreciation to the side and his now ex-teammates.

“It was (his) last chance really to show respect to the club. They’ve given a lot to him,” Anasta said.

“Not just money but a lot of stuff. As a player, it doesn’t sit well with me.”

Gordon Tallis agreed and shared Anasta’a frustration.

Tallis elaborated, “It didn’t sit well with me too. At the moment, with what he was saying about the Tigers allowing him to go to PNG to go and negotiate and go back over there for the golf, I think it’s disrespectful.

“(Not just) to the Tigers, but the game. I don’t think it’s about the club. I think it’s a lack of respect for his teammates who are going to get the awards.”