{"id":649723,"date":"2026-05-04T20:42:25","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T20:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/649723\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T20:42:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T20:42:25","slug":"what-jarome-luais-shock-nrl-move-could-mean-for-australian-and-new-zealand-rugby-union","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/649723\/","title":{"rendered":"What Jarome Luai’s shock NRL move could mean for Australian and New Zealand rugby union"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the wake of Jarome Luai’s announcement he will join the PNG Chiefs, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall revealed what he and the rest of the NRL were thinking.<\/p>\n

“Every club needs to be on their toes,” Marshall told reporters.<\/p>\n

The Chiefs are making no apologies for their ambitious recruitment drive ahead of their inaugural NRL season in 2028, as they dangle lucrative tax-free salaries in front of players from the existing 17 clubs.<\/p>\n

On ABC radio last Sunday, Chiefs general manager Michael Chammas declared Luai’s signing would trigger a “snowball effect”, with more players expected to follow suit.<\/p>\n

Luai’s shock move illustrates how aggressive player recruitment is becoming as the NRL expands to 19 teams (Perth Bears join the league next year).<\/p>\n

The race for talent has intensified, which also has ramifications for rugby in Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n

They must also be “on their toes” in the same way Marshall warned NRL clubs to be vigilant.<\/p>\n

The best players emerging from rugby’s junior ranks have been in the NRL’s crosshairs for some time, and will continue to be, as 19 clubs look to fill roster spots and pathway squads.<\/p>\n

\"Australian<\/p>\n

Australia’s junior rugby talent has been a target for NRL clubs. (Getty Images\/Rugby Australia)<\/p>\n

Adding to the challenge is the fact rugby and league co-exist in the “dual athlete” era at the underage level, meaning a considerable number of players are involved in both sports.<\/p>\n

The term “code-agnostic” has been used in New Zealand to describe this situation.<\/p>\n

Across the Tasman, there is increasing concern about rugby’s ability to hold onto its juniors and attract the best talent to the game amid the opposition it faces from the rival code.<\/p>\n

The Warriors’ popularity is surging, and the NRL is strongly considering a second New Zealand-based franchise as part of its future expansion plans.<\/p>\n

If dyed-in-the-wool Australian rugby fans scoff at the threat the NRL poses when it comes to player recruitment, they only needed to watch Manly’s clash with Penrith on Sunday night.<\/p>\n

\"Joey<\/p>\n

Rising Manly star Joey Walsh represented Australia in rugby at the under-18 level. (AAP: Dan Himbrechts)<\/p>\n

Helping to pilot the Sea Eagles’ attack in the halves was Joey Walsh, who played fly half for the Australian Schools and U18s rugby team in 2023.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old gave a glimpse of his ball-playing ability, producing a brilliant offload in the lead-up to the Sea Eagles’ second try in their 18-16 loss to the Panthers.<\/p>\n

Walsh is just one of many NRL players who grew up playing the two codes.<\/p>\n

Rugby Australia (RA) is in its best position in decades to bankroll player retention strategies and invest in junior pathways after announcing a $70.6 million surplus and cash reserves of $31.4 million for the 2025 financial year.<\/p>\n

It can also look forward to the windfall that will come with hosting the respective men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups in 2027 and 2029.<\/p>\n

RA has wisely outlined there will be no reckless spending, suggesting it has learned from past mistakes.<\/p>\n

But when RA does loosen the purse strings, funding ways to keep its best juniors in rugby must be a priority.<\/p>\n

Ex-NRL stars face off<\/p>\n

As NRL expansion bubbles away, two of its former stars were used as poster boys during Super Rugby Pacific’s round 12 last week.<\/p>\n

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Zac Lomax were front and centre in the promotion of the NSW Waratahs’ clash with the Western Force in Sydney on Friday night.<\/p>\n

It was a smart move to drum up interest outside of rusted-on rugby followers.<\/p>\n

But if any diehard NRL fans watched on TV or were among the 10,096 spectators who attended the match, they witnessed a lacklustre contest that went the way of the Force, 20-17.<\/p>\n

Even Force coach Simon Cron admitted it was a “tough watch”, while also describing his side’s win as “ugly”.<\/p>\n

\"Joseph<\/p>\n

Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii played his first match for the Waratahs since early March. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)<\/p>\n

Neither Suaalii nor Lomax had an impact, although there were limited opportunities for the ex-NSW State of Origin teammates as the match was a slog.<\/p>\n

Importantly, however, Suaalii got through 59 minutes unscathed in his first appearance since injuring his hamstring before the Waratahs’ round-four match against the Hurricanes in early March.<\/p>\n

He needs match fitness under his belt ahead of a heavy Test season with the Wallabies, and will benefit from the run against the Force.<\/p>\n

Time on the field is also vital for Lomax, as he navigates the early stages of his rugby journey.<\/p>\n

He made mistakes against the Waratahs, such as a no-look pass that went into touch, but will learn from the experience.<\/p>\n

When positioned on the blindside wing, Lomax was intelligently used as an aerial threat off box kicks and showed he could break the defensive line when chiming in during first-phase attack.<\/p>\n

\"Zac<\/p>\n

Zac Lomax (centre) had his second start for the Force against the Waratahs. (AAP: Dean Lewins)<\/p>\n

Two starts for the Force should not guarantee Wallabies selection, however, Lomax is making progress only two months after switching from league.<\/p>\n

The Force’s win keeps it in the hunt for a finals berth, despite occupying 10th spot on the standings with 18 points and a 4-6 (win-loss) record.<\/p>\n

The team are seven points outside the top six, ahead of three matches at home during the final four rounds of the regular season.<\/p>\n

The Waratahs are also in finals contention, as they are in eighth place on the standings with 20 points.<\/p>\n

Pietsch perfect for Force<\/p>\n

As Lomax’s code switch continues to attract attention, one of his Force teammates has quietly gone about his business.<\/p>\n

Dylan Piestch was superb for the Force against the Waratahs, scoring two tries and getting through a mountain of work on the opposite wing to Lomax.<\/p>\n

\"Dylan<\/p>\n

Dylan Pietsch played a starring role for the Force in its win. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)<\/p>\n

Pietsch’s game has reached new heights at the Force since he moved west from the Waratahs after the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.<\/p>\n

He has become a world-class winger, highlighted by solid performances for the Wallabies last year.<\/p>\n

The talk about who will be the Wallabies’ first-choice wing pairing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup makes for an interesting debate, with Lomax and Mark Nawaqanitawase expected to be in the mix, alongside Max Jorgensen.<\/p>\n

But Pietsch deserves to be in the conversation if he can carry his current form into next season.<\/p>\n

Brumbies fall again<\/p>\n

ACT Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was reluctant to offer excuses about his side’s form slump following Saturday night’s 31-20 loss to the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.<\/p>\n

It was the Brumbies’ third straight defeat, and they dropped from fifth to sixth position on the standings with a 5-6 return from their 11 matches.<\/p>\n

The result also meant the Brumbies were bumped off as Australia’s top-ranked side in the competition, with the Reds (6-4) climbing to fourth.<\/p>\n

Larkham faced an uphill battle before the season started, knowing he would be without Wallabies Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper following their overseas moves.<\/p>\n

No team in Super Rugby Pacific can lose talent and experience of that ilk and not feel the impact.<\/p>\n

\"Tom<\/p>\n

Tom Hooper left the Brumbies to join Exeter last year. (Getty Images\/CameraSport: Bob Bradford)<\/p>\n

The Brumbies seemed to be coping with the trio’s absence when they were 5-3, but Larkham noted the fatigue of the season has taken its toll on the younger players, who have stepped into the breach.<\/p>\n

Injuries have not helped either, with back-rower Charlie Cale (shoulder) ruled out for a lengthy period following the Brumbies’ most recent win in round nine against the Highlanders.<\/p>\n

Until his injury, Cale had been in career-best form.<\/p>\n

\"Declan<\/p>\n

The Brumbies went down 31-20 to the Reds in Brisbane. (AAP: Darren England)<\/p>\n

The Brumbies had their chances against the Reds, having fought back on the scoreboard to seize a 21-20 lead with 25 minutes left in the match.<\/p>\n

But the Reds finished over the top of their opponents, scoring a converted try and penalty goal to clinch victory.<\/p>\n

It was an improved performance from the Brumbies, who were outclassed 45-12 by the Hurricanes in their previous start during Super Round.<\/p>\n

A buoyant Force squad awaits Larkham and his troops, who will need to arrest a poor home record when the two teams meet at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In the wake of Jarome Luai’s announcement he will join the PNG Chiefs, Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":637397,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[58864,64,63,651,17269,4582,137999,25291,1736,44,158,32951,22798,234580,12061,760,2633,48013,670,3198,11229,4515,22332],"class_list":["post-649723","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-australia","tag-act-brumbies","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-brisbane","tag-expansion","tag-jarome-luai","tag-joseph-aukuso-suaalii","tag-michael-chammas","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-nrl","tag-nsw-waratahs","tag-perth-bears","tag-png-chiefs","tag-queensland-reds","tag-rugby","tag-rugby-union","tag-super-rugby-pacific","tag-sydney","tag-warriors","tag-western-force","tag-wests-tigers","tag-zac-lomax"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/649723","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=649723"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/649723\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/637397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=649723"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=649723"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=649723"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}