It’s the latest twist in Jarome Luai’s topsy-turvy time at the Tigers.
The joint venture told the star playmaker in recent days he was free to find a new home for 2027, a year before his eventual move to the PNG Chiefs.
Jarome Luai has been given permission to leave Wests Tigers early. Getty
Nine.com.au takes a look at five burning questions as Luai sniffs out his next move.
Where will Luai land?
Parramatta appear to be the front-runners to sign Luai for 2027.
The Perth Bears are also said to be keen, given they are yet to sign a marquee player ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2027.
But nine.com.au understands Luai doesn’t want to make his family pack up and move this year given they will already have to do that next year.
If Luai can find a new home for 2027, the Tigers will be forced to subsidise a slice of his $1.2-million-a-year contract – unless he finds a suitor willing to pony up for the whole lot.
A complicating factor is the future of Ronald Volkman, the 24-year-old who has impressed in the halves for Parramatta this season.
The highly rated playmaker, who is off contract at season’s end, will be left in the lurch if the Eels snap up Luai.
Have the Tigers blown up their finals chances?
Questions have got to be asked about the timing of the Tigers’ move and the impact it could have on their finals chances.
Heading into round 19, the long-suffering club is in contention to play finals football for the first time since 2011.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall. Getty
It’s unlikely given the Tigers are sitting 12th, two wins outside the top eight and with poor differential, with eight games to play.
But as of this moment their finals chances are alive – and telling Luai he is free to leave a year early has the potential to further derail their charge.
What should the Tigers do with the extra money?
It’s no secret the Tigers want to lock up talented brothers Latu and Samuela Fainu beyond 2027.
Latu and Samuela, a playmaker and second-rower respectively, will be free to negotiate with rival clubs if they haven’t re-signed with the Tigers by November 1.
Getting the $1.2 million Luai off their books now, rather than at the end of season 2027, would allow them to offer the Fainu brothers more money as they try to stop them from hitting free agency.
Latu Fainu in action for the Tigers. Getty
The Tigers may also want to tie down promising front-rower Fonua Pole, who will be off contract on November 1 if he doesn’t re-sign before then.
Was Tigers’ Luai signing a success?
It would be easy to write off Luai’s time at the Tigers as a failure because he didn’t take them to the finals last year and is unlikely to do so this season.
But success can be measured in many different forms.
It might be a stretch to say Luai has turned the Tigers into a destination club since crossing from the Panthers after season 2024 – but the champion playmaker has absolutely made them a more attractive club at the signing table.
Sunia Turuva, Terrell and Taylan May, Kai Pearce-Paul and Royce Hunt have all signed with the Tigers since the club confirmed a five-year for Luai in January 2024.
Luai celebrates with teammates. Getty
The club has also re-signed Adam Doueihi and Sione Fainu since securing Luai’s signature, and upgraded Taylan May from a train-and-trial deal to a top-30 contract.
The signing of Luai – a four-time premiership winner at Penrith with State of Origin caps to his name – also brought credibility to the long-ridiculed Tigers.
Should clubs steer clear of get-out clauses?
Luai signed a five-year deal with the Tigers in his final season at the Panthers – but included in his contract were player options for each year from 2027.
He was able to sign with PNG this year by activating his first get-out clause.
In hindsight, the Tigers’ allowance of the get-out clauses came back to haunt them. That being said, would the joint venture have enticed Luai to the club had they not agreed to the clauses?
Clearly, whether clubs should avoid get-out clauses is a case-by-case matter.