Updated July 9, 2026 — 3:29pm,first published 2:53pm
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Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai has agreed to leave the club at the end of this season as it looks to free up $1 million in salary cap space, with crosstown rivals Parramatta set to explore the prospect of picking him up for next season.
Luai is the Tigers’ highest-earning player on approximately $1.2 million next season, and has signed a contract to join incoming franchise PNG Chiefs in 2028.
Jarome Luai has been given permission to leave Wests Tigers early.Getty
With his long-term future locked in elsewhere, the Tigers last week raised the prospect of Luai moving on at the end of the season as the club recalibrates its playmaking stocks and prepares an extension for Latu Fainu, his potential replacement in the halves.
Concerns over Luai’s recent form and the possibility of him promoting PNG while still a Tigers player next season prompted them to move. The Tigers are prepared to chip in $200,000 to help Luai land a deal elsewhere.
Jarome Luai’s Instagram story after news of his potential early exit broke.Instagram
The Eels have space at their scrumbase alongside skipper Mitchell Moses and in their salary cap as well, with Jonah Pezet moving to Brisbane next year. Parramatta have high hopes for several young halves led by Joash Papalii, Lincoln Fletcher and Lorenzo Talataina and do not want to recruit over the top of them.
However, signing Luai on a short-term 2027 deal would allow their emerging playmakers another 12 months to develop below NRL level. The Eels have also been in the market for a marquee prop and outside back reinforcements.
Moses and Luai combined in the NSW halves in the 2024 State of Origin decider, helping steer the side to a series win.
“It’s like anything when it comes to quality players, we’re always interested in them,” Parramatta coach Jason Ryles told this masthead. “At the same time, I need to find out more information in regards to it.”
The incoming Perth Bears have also privately indicated they would entertain pursuing Luai at the right price. The Bears are sorely missing a marquee player ahead of their entry to the competition next season, while signing Luai would put him in the bizarre position of being a foundation player at both of the NRL’s expansion teams in consecutive years.
Shortly after the news broke, Luai posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the caption: “Gods [sic] plan, not mine”, with Rod Wave’s Moving On as an accompanying soundtrack.
Jarome Luai may only end up playing two years at the Tigers after signing a five-year deal,NRL Photos
Both Fainu and his brother Samuela can entertain rival offers if they go to market on November 1, with the Tigers set to ramp up re-signing talks to tie the pair down beforehand. The club is yet to table formal extension offers to either Latu or Samuela.
Dolphins flyer Jake Averillo will also join the Tigers next year on a lucrative four-year deal and is another option to partner Adam Doueihi in the halves.
Tigers officials have stressed that there is no issue with Luai, who has a close relationship with coach Benji Marshall. He will take his place as planned against the Warriors on Friday night after being named to return from delayed concussion symptoms.
Luai’s pending exit from the Tigers leaves him having to secure a new club for a single season before heading to Port Moresby, with Parramatta looming as a leading option.
Sources close to Luai have indicated his preference is to avoid uprooting his young family for a one-year deal given they are already moving to PNG before the 2028 season, where Chiefs players, staff and their families will live in restricted resort-style accommodation.
St George Illawarra are short of a representative-level half and are reshaping their roster, although they have spent significantly to bring in Scott Drinkwater, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf and Connor Watson for next season.
Luai arrived at the Tigers at the end of 2024 as a marquee signing on a $6 million, five-year deal that contained several exit clauses.
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His off-field influence has been instrumental in helping to turn the underperforming club around, however an exit at the end of this season would come less than halfway through the originally-agreed terms of that deal.
Luai exercised an exit clause earlier this year to become the PNG Chiefs first signing, with the Tigers waiving the 10-day cooling-off period as the NRL’s newest franchise struck their first blow in the player market.
The initial announcement of Luai’s PNG deal sparked speculation the Tigers could end up being raided by the Chiefs given his friendships among the NRL squad.
However, the May brothers Terrell and Taylan, fullback Jahream Bula, winger Sunia Turuva and highly rated teen centre Heamasi Makasini have all re-signed long-term extensions in recent months.
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Dan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
Chris Barrett is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.From our partners