In a Wests Tigers bombshell skipper Jarome Luai has been spotted in Papua New Guinea as his contract deadline draws near.

The Daily Telegraph reported Luai has been spotted in PNG and met with Chiefs officials, with the potential to be their first major signing.

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Luai has a yearly option in his favour to remain at the Tigers, with his deadline for the club another 12 months coming up on Thursday.

Luai was seen in Port Moresby on Sunday alongside some of the Chiefs’ powerbrokers as he eyes a switch to the club in 2028 for their inaugural season.

It is understood the Tigers were informed by Luai that he planned to leave the country on Sunday and he is due back in Australia on Monday.

The deal would be a significant coup for PNG CEO Michael Chammas, who was always close to Luai when he was a journalist with Nine newspapers.

Should Luai join the Chiefs he would likely take up a one-year option with the Tigers for the 2027 season, before switching to PNG.

Luai is on a deal worth about $1.2 million at the Tigers for five seasons, but has yearly get-out clauses in his favour and the NRL would not register a deal with PNG for much less.

Luai would be the first major scalp for the Chiefs’ head of football Chammas, coach Willie Peters and head of recruitment Liam Ayoub.

The 29-year-old has scored 27 tries in 156 games for the Panthers and Tigers since his debut in 2018 and has played 12 Origins for the Blues and 16 Tests for Samoa to date.

Jarome Luai as seen in PNG (via Nine) and playing for the Tigers on Thursday night.Source: FOX SPORTS

EX-ROOSTERS STAR OPEN TO NRL RETURN WITH PNG

Days after it was reported that the chances of a Joey Manu reunion with the Roosters were slim to none, it has been revealed the dual sport star could indeed return to the NRL.

Manu is currently under contract with French rugby side Racing 92 but has expressed a desire to sign with a New Zealand domestic team in order to be eligible for All Blacks selection for next year’s Rugby Union World Cup.

After that though, Manu is weighing up a bombshell move to Papua New Guinea to play for the Chiefs, who are set to join the NRL in 2028.

That’s according to someone very close to Manu, his father Nooroa.

“Yes, PNG is option. We are looking at options at the moment and the next level would be to see how it (living in PNG) would have an impact on him,” Nooroa told Code Sports in an exclusive interview.

“Joey is coming back here (to Australia) around June (when France’s Top 14 comp ends). He is going to weigh up his options.

“He is at a crossroads you could say.”

While the Chiefs appear to be the favourite to sign Manu if he decides to come back to the NRL, the Roosters can’t be ruled out either.

“Obviously he loves the Roosters,” Nooroa said.

“They were good to him and he was good for them. They will be an option, but it will come down to who is still around at the Roosters in their set up.”

Manu and former Roosters teammate Connor Watson have now both been linked to PNG with Code Sports reporting that Bears coach Mal Meninga believes Watson will sign with the Chiefs after the versatile Blues rep knocked back Perth’s interest.

OUT-OF-CONTRACT WARRIOR BEGINS TALKS WITH NRL CLUB

The red-hot Warriors have reportedly opened up contract talks with free agent halfback Tanah Boyd.

Boyd has been excellent for the Warriors this season, leading the club to six wins – the most in the NRL.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a career resurgence at the Warriors.

Highly touted as a youngster, things didn’t work out for Boyd at the Titans in his several seasons there.

Given an opportunity by Andrew Webster, Boyd has repaid the faith, and has overtaken Luke Metcalf as the club’s No. 1 halfback option.

Metcalf has played in only two games this season but once he’s back on deck, he’ll more than likely play alongside Boyd at five-eighth.

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Boyd is off contract at the end of 2026. According to journalist Brent Read, the playmaker wants to stay put.

“I think Tanah Boyd wants to stay at the Warriors. That’s his preference, and that’s who they’re negotiating with at the moment,” Read said.

“He will only move if that deal won’t get done.”

Boyd is tied 3rd in the NRL in try assists (9), one behind leaders Scott Drinkwater, Jahrome Hughes and Nathan Cleary.