Matty Johns feels it would be a devastating blow to the Tigers’ progress if skipper Jarome Luai decides to quit the club to join the PNG Chiefs in 2028.
Luai met with powerbrokers of the NRL’s 19th team over the weekend amid reports he could be their first major marquee signing for their inaugural season in 2028.
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Luai is in the second year of a five-year deal at the Tigers, but has get-out clauses in his contract each year, with the deadline for making a call on a 12-month extension this Thursday.
The 29-year-old could opt to play for the Tigers in 2027 and then take his talents to the Chiefs in 2028, where he could earn $2 million a season on tax free money.
Luai was critical of Lachlan Galvin leaving the Tigers for the Bulldogs and is close with Benji Marshall, but the lure of the financial reward at PNG may prove too hard for him to ignore at this stage of his career, given he will be nearly 31 by 2028.
The Chiefs are also reportedly set to make a play for Nathan Cleary, who will test his value on the open market from November 1 and could reunite with his former Panthers teammate at PNG.
Luai has scored 27 tries in 156 games for the Panthers and Tigers since his debut in 2018 and has played 12 Origins for the Blues and 16 Tests for Samoa to date.
Johns feels that losing Luai when the club is on the rise could be a brutal setback amid their surge into the top four this season.
“Over the weekend Jarome Luai was actually in Papua New Guinea,” Johns said on Sunday Night with Matty Johns.
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Jarome Luai and Benji Marshall.Source: FOX SPORTS
“He was meeting with the Chiefs. Did a tour around the precinct (at the PNG Chiefs).
“Apparently it’s down to the clauses in his contract at the Tigers. He’s got to let the Tigers know by Thursday.
“You would think it would take him a lot of get out of the Tigers, but tax free money.
“But so hard for the Tigers. The moment you’re looking for a bit of clear air.”
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Nathan Hindmarsh is hopeful Luai will stay loyal to the Tigers given they are finally on the rise after nearly two decades without playing finals.
“The moment they are starting to travel well and they’re sitting third on the ladder, I think that’s the last thing they want though isn’t it,” Hindmarsh said.
“For him to be lured away to PNG when they’re actually starting to play some decent footy. Fans are behind them selling out stadiums. Hopefully he stays.”
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