Cooper Cronk has vented his frustration over the NRL allowing Jarome Luai to service a third party agreement associated with his PNG Chiefs deal — while being contracted at a rival club.

Luai is still contracted at the Wests Tigers for 2026 and has a one-year deal with Parramatta for 2027 before he links up with the PNG Chiefs the following year.

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Not only is Luai’s $1.2 million a season contract with the Chiefs tax free, so are the third party deals that come with it.

Luai has reportedly signed a deal to become the face of Pepsi in Papua New Guinea – the first of his third-party deals in the Pacific which could see him earn millions over the next four years.

As part of the deal, Luai will have to travel to PNG a handful of times throughout the 2027 season to fulfil certain duties.

Cronk didn’t take aim at Luai, but at the game’s governing body for allowing it to happen.

“I’m not sure how the NRL can allow Jarome Luai to be contracted to the Tigers or Eels, but he can still service a third party agreement that is for a contract in 2028,” Cronk said on Fox League’s post-match show on Saturday night.

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“We use the example of Payne Haas. Is Payne Haas servicing a contract for South Sydney? No. Like, that is not on.

“In my last year at the Melbourne Storm…would I be out there spruiking about my third party agreements at the Roosters while wearing a Melbourne Storm jersey? No.”

Cronk called on Peter V’landys and his team to change their view on situations like Luai’s, saying it was not a good look to have players endorsing things in contracts tied to clubs they haven’t arrived at yet.

“The NRL needs to fix that up. That is not on. We’re expanding and getting extra teams in the competition. You cannot have a player currently contracted servicing an agreement that’s expected to happen in 12 months’ time. Not on,” Cronk said.

Cooper Cronk had his say on Jarome Luai’s third party deals with the ChiefsSource: FOX SPORTS

While the Tigers reportedly had issues with Luai taking time away from club duties to service a third party agreement at the Chiefs, Eels coach Jason Ryles wasn’t worried.

“He’s a pro — as long as he turns up and does what we need him to do at training, and playing and performing, you know what I mean?” Ryles said.

“It’s a pretty big part of all the players’ lives now, especially the boys at the pointy end. So, you know, it’s not only just being a footy player now, there’s a brand and all the rest of it that goes with it.

“So for me, as long as footy comes first (I don’t have a problem).”

Cronk’s fellow panellist Kevin Walters defended Luai doing some work for Pepsi in PNG while contracted at the Eels in 2027.

“But Coops, you’ve got to be careful because it’s got nothing to do with the Chiefs, the Pepsi deal. That’s a direct deal with Jarome Luai and Pepsi,” Walters reminded Cronk.

But the two-time Dally M Medallist wasn’t budging on his view.

“I get it, but it should not be able to be done while he is wearing another jersey. I don’t care if he’s playing for the Maitland team…I don’t like it,” Cronk fired back.