Parramatta’s reported interest in Jarome Luai is being questioned with concerns raised it could be a mistake to sign the star playmaker.
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Luai is set to leave the Tigers at season’s end and the Eels are keen to pounce, with the club emerging as the red-hot favourites to land Luai for 2027 before he joins the PNG Chiefs on a multi-year deal from 2028.
The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read said on NRL360 that the Eels are in the “box seat” to sign Luai before revealing that Rugby Australia have even expressed interest in the 29-year-old in a stunning development.
“There’s some news coming out tonight that rugby union’s keen on him now. Rugby Australia have now said that if he wants to come to rugby for 12 months, he’s more than welcome,” Read said.
“Phil Waugh (Rugby Australia CEO) has come out and said that, but look, I’d find that astonishing, right? I think he’s going to stay in rugby league.”
Ready & Bulldog erupt over Origin debate | 06:03
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING POINTS: ‘Ugly’ fear in Tigers’ Luai mess; what is behind Manly’s slide
TEAM TIPS: Big Broncos boost, welcome Bulldogs news… and heartbreak
If the Eels were to sign Luai, it’d be the second player in as many years they’ve inked a playmaker to a one-year bridging contract.
Jonah Pezet is currently in the midst of a hit-and-run deal with the Eels. He’ll head to Brisbane from next season.
So far, the Pezet signing hasn’t worked out as the club would’ve hoped with Mitch Moses and Pezet rarely seeing the field together this season due to injuries.
That’s part of the reason why journalist Dean Ritchie believes the Eels shouldn’t add Luai.
“I don’t agree with it. I think Parramatta just aren’t learning their lesson here,” Ritchie said.
“You throw in the World Cup this year, it doesn’t finish till mid-November. Then you’ve got the RLPA sanctioned holidays, so he wouldn’t come back until what? Mid-January, late February? So the deal for next year is only for probably eight or nine months.
“Parramatta’s got to learn what’s in their soul, what’s in their heart, what’s in their emblem, and stop signing these Band-Aid deals for one year.
“I just question the culture that they’re trying to build by signing these blokes for one year and then making them better players potentially to go and ply their trade somewhere.
“It just smacks of desperation to me. And maybe it is desperation for a coach under pressure, but it smacks of desperation.”
Jonah Pezet.Source: The Daily Telegraph
NRL360 host Braith Anasta, who is Pezet’s agent, outlined why the Pezet and Luai situations are unique.
“The Eels are fans are split on it. It is a tough call to make. I’m not sure which way I’d go,” Anasta said.
”In reference to Jonah, I think different. He’s a seven, they’re both sevens him and Mitch and in one year to get that combination right, it’s not a lot of time.
“Jarome’s an out and out six, and he’s played with Mitch and they’ve succeeded at Origin level. So they’ve had a formidable combination.”
“What’s important is that Parramatta need to win footy games, and Jarome will help them win footy games,” Read added.
“You’ve got to remember that Ryles is in the last year of his contract next year. Rylesy needs to win footy games and Jarome makes them a better footy side.”
Adding intrigue to the situation is the status of Ronald Volkman, who has been playing well in the halves this season.
Volkman is off contract at the end of the season and is reportedly set to be moved on as he and the club aren’t close in contract negotiations.
“It looks like he’s (Volkman) leaving. He thinks he’s worth more than what their willing to offer him,” Read explained.
“I think this (Luai) situation may have played a part. I don’t know exactly.”