Joey Manu sits down for dinner at a seafood restaurant in Port Moresby.<\/p>\n
Sitting opposite the former NRL star is Jarome Luai. The four-time premiership-winner is picking at a lobster.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can be eating these every day if we want, my bro,\u201d Luai laughs from across the table. <\/p>\n
Luai is in a typically good mood. <\/p>\n
Instead of playing a cameo season under heavy scrutiny and an ever-present spotlight at the Eels, he\u2019s spent the day with the PNG Chiefs social media team. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s snapped and shot reels, stories and videos that the Chiefs can push out to their 40,000 followers. <\/p>\n
Luai shows that trademark grin when calling for Chiefs fans to become paid-up members.<\/p>\n
He then takes fans behind the scenes of the Chiefs\u2019 resort accommodation and shares footage of him selling the lifestyle as a Chief. <\/p>\n
The day before, instead of being accused of earning $700,000 to help resurrect the Eels while also working on training days off for his third-party sponsors, Luai played 18 holes at Royal Port Moresby Golf Club with executives from his third-party sponsor Pepsi.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, sir,\u201d Luai says after he birdies the Par 4 16th. <\/p>\n
The week before, the Wests Tigers captain went fishing with one of the most talented teenagers in rugby league. <\/p>\n
Luai also spoke at length with the concerned parents of the rising star.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been at every recruitment meeting with GM of football Michael Chammas and head of recruitment Liam Ayoub. <\/p>\n
If there\u2019s a player for the Chiefs to scout, Luai is there every step of the way. <\/p>\n
If a phone call needs to be made, Luai is on the end of the line. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s even had lunch with the PNG Prime Minister James Marape and it\u2019s on every news platform possible. <\/p>\n
\u201cBro, it was an honour to share a meal with him,\u2019\u2019 Luai tells the news crews. <\/p>\n
The 29-year-old Luai is also training every day. <\/p>\n
He\u2019s had any clean-up surgery required after finishing his two-year stint at the Tigers. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s no need for press conferences after losses here and, more importantly, no threat of a season-ending injury by playing in the NRL in 2027 that would cause massive issues for the Chiefs, when he is due to play for rugby league\u2019s most extravagant franchise expedition in 2028.<\/p>\n
There is an alternative life for Luai and it isn\u2019t playing with the Eels. <\/p>\n
He should\u2019ve been with the Chiefs in 2027 as their head of recruitment, chief marketing officer, sponsorship manager, who would be wrapped-up in cotton wool ahead of their massive season launch in 2028. <\/p>\n
Here, he is safe from the scrutiny that now follows his every move as a departing Tigers and soon-to-be Eel for the next 18 months. <\/p>\n
Is he focused on winning games for the Eels next season, or promoting the Chiefs?<\/p>\n
After all, that\u2019s one of the major reasons why Wests Tigers management pulled the pin on his deal for 2027.<\/p>\n
Wests Tigers were rightfully alarmed that Luai was locked into working with third-party sponsors linked to his mega-deal with the Chiefs. <\/p>\n
Are we suddenly led to believe that things will be different at Parramatta?<\/p>\n
Rugby league is a game built on tribalism. Fans need to know their players are deeply passionate and invested in their club and also their community. <\/p>\n
Is Luai for the Eels, or is he for the Chiefs in 2027?<\/p>\n
Again, the Tigers didn\u2019t think he would be all-in for them in 2027. <\/p>\n
The Chiefs should\u2019ve pounced on Luai. Had him on the payroll immediately. <\/p>\n
It was a no-brainer, bro.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Joey Manu sits down for dinner at a seafood restaurant in Port Moresby. 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