Jarome Luai has reportedly signed with the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, agreeing to join the NRL\u2019s 19th team in 2028 as their marquee player.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday afternoon Code Sports<\/a> reported Luai had decided to join the Chiefs when they enter the NRL in 2028, leaving the Wests Tigers three years into a five-year deal.<\/p>\n Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership 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.<\/a><\/p>\n Luai travelled to Papua New Guinea over the weekend<\/a> after the Tigers\u2019 win at Leichhardt \u2014 he met with Chiefs officials, attended a local game and received a hero\u2019s welcome from locals before returning to Sydney. <\/p>\n The playmaker will stay at the Tigers for the rest of this season and next year, but his departure is a massive blow for the Tigers, who sit third on the ladder and appear on track to play finals for the first time since 2011. <\/p>\n Luai has a favourable yearly clause in his Tigers contract that allows him to explore his options and he has decided the money on offer in PNG as the face of the new team was too good to refuse. <\/p>\n \u201cThe other big factor we can\u2019t ignore is the money. By going there, even if they pay him what he\u2019s on at the Tigers, he\u2019s going to earn in his hand an extra $1 million over two years because it\u2019s tax free money,\u201d The Daily Telegraph\u2019s Brent Read reported on \u2018NRL 360\u2019 on Monday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe money is ridiculous. Aside from the contract money, there are third party deals over there which is all tax free as well. He would instantly become the highest-paid player in rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n NRL world reacts to Luai move<\/p>\n Rugby league commentators believe the tax-free dollars on offer for Luai in the salary and tax-free third party deals, which NRL 360\u2019s Braith Anasta was a \u201cbig lure\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cIf you compare it to Kalyn Ponga who\u2019s on around $1.4, he (Luai) is getting $700,000 more a year than Kalyn Ponga,\u201d Anasta said on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you peel it back and compare it to some of the biggest stars in our game, it\u2019s irresistible. It\u2019s too hard to refuse.\u00a0Tax-free dollars is such an appeal to players going over there.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re going to have a very competitive team.\u00a0It is a significant day for rugby league.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey want him to be their front man and ultimately said to Jarome when he flew up over the weekend, \u2018come and build your NRL team\u2019,\u201d The Daily Telegraph\u2019s Dave Riccio revealed.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat an opportunity. Have you ever heard of an club speaking to their No. 1 target that you can have a major say on the entire structure of the rugby league team?\u201d<\/p>\n Attention will soon turn to PNG\u2019s next targets, with several of Luai\u2019s current and former teammates free to negotiate with rivals from November 1. <\/p>\n They include Penrith\u2019s Nathan Cleary, Mitch Kenny, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Brian To\u2019o and Isaah Yeo, Tigers players Jahream Bula, Terrell and Taylan May and Sunia Turuva, as well as Canterbury\u2019s Matt Burton. <\/p>\n Gorden Tallis predicted Luai\u2019s signing would be the \u201cfirst of many\u201d high profile recruits for the Chiefs.<\/p>\n \u201cPlayers know now it is a business, they\u2019ve got a short time in the game,\u201d Tallis said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe big clubs will be targeted by the Chiefs, I have no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n The NRL 360 panel lamented the disadvantage the Perth Bears are at, given they join the NRL next year but don\u2019t have any extra compensation benefits to help attract results. <\/p>\n \u201cI was saying ages ago how much of an advantage they (PNG) have got and a disadvantage Perth have got it because there\u2019s no compensation there,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n \u201cNow everyone might get the sh*ts because this is actually happening and it\u2019s going to attract players like him. It\u2019s actually a reality now.\u00a0<\/p>\n Paul Crawley added: \u201cThe poor Perth Bears, they\u2019re up against it. It\u2019s not a fair fight. <\/p>\n \u201cThe fact they get absolutely no help from the salary cap or anything else.\u00a0From a Perth perspective, it\u2019s no wonder they\u2019re struggling.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt now opens the eyes of rival clubs to what they may face for any potential players the Chiefs may go after next.\u201d<\/p>\n Riccio said: \u201cCan we not underestimate the advantage the Chiefs have through their tax free dollars. <\/p>\n \u201cTherefore they are going to start picking the eyes out of (rival teams) and he is the major domino that is going to create the wave of momentum for the recruitment drive of the Chiefs.\u201d<\/p>\n After winning four premierships at Penrith, the 29-year-old joined the Tigers on a deal worth $1.2 million per year and has helped drive a revival under coach Benji Marshall. <\/p>\n But with the federal government making rugby league players exempt from paying tax in PNG, Luai will earn significantly more at the Chiefs than he would at the Tigers.<\/p>\n According to Code<\/a>, Luai will take home an extra $1 million across 2028 and 2029 if he remains on the same $1.2 million salary in PNG. <\/p>\n No official announcement has been made, but Luai had to make a decision on his contract clause by Thursday, April 30.<\/p>\n PNG Prime Minister James Marape heralded Luai\u2019s weekend visit to Port Moresby as proof the Chiefs will be able to attract big-name NRL players.<\/p>\n \u201cTo have a player of Jarome Luai\u2019s calibre visit our country, experience our culture, meet our people, and see what Papua New Guinea has to offer is heartwarming for our nation,\u201d the Prime Minister said.<\/p>\n \u201cOn behalf of the people and Government of Papua New Guinea, I welcome him and his family to our country.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be the first high-profile player to come and show interest in our team is something we deeply appreciate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt sends a message that Papua New Guinea is ready, rugby league is strong here, and our future in the NRL is bright.\u201d<\/p>\n Chiefs sign record-breaking Rabbitoh<\/p>\n