Jarome Luai has reportedly signed with the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, agreeing to join the NRL’s 19th team in 2028 as their marquee player.
On Tuesday afternoon Code Sports 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.
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.
Luai travelled to Papua New Guinea over the weekend after the Tigers’ win at Leichhardt — he met with Chiefs officials, attended a local game and received a hero’s welcome from locals before returning to Sydney.
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.
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.
“The other big factor we can’t ignore is the money. By going there, even if they pay him what he’s on at the Tigers, he’s going to earn in his hand an extra $1 million over two years because it’s tax free money,” The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read reported on ‘NRL 360’ on Monday.
“The 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.”
NRL world reacts to Luai move
Rugby league commentators noted the tax-free dollars on offer for Luai for his salary and tax-free third party deals in PNG, which NRL 360’s Braith Anasta said was a “big lure”.
“If you compare it to Kalyn Ponga who’s on around $1.4, he (Luai) is getting $700,000 more a year than Kalyn Ponga,” Anasta said on NRL 360 on Tuesday night.
“If you peel it back and compare it to some of the biggest stars in our game, it’s irresistible. It’s too hard to refuse. Tax-free dollars is such an appeal to players going over there.
“They’re going to have a very competitive team. It is a significant day for rugby league.”
“They want him to be their front man and ultimately said to Jarome when he flew up over the weekend, ‘come and build your NRL team’,” The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio revealed.
“What 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?”
Attention will soon turn to PNG’s next targets, with several of Luai’s current and former teammates free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.
They include Penrith’s Nathan Cleary, Mitch Kenny, Moses Leota, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo, Tigers players Jahream Bula, Terrell and Taylan May and Sunia Turuva, as well as Canterbury’s Matt Burton.
Gorden Tallis predicted Luai’s signing would be the “first of many” high profile recruits for the Chiefs.
“Players know now it is a business, they’ve got a short time in the game,” Tallis said.
“The big clubs will be targeted by the Chiefs, I have no doubt.”
The NRL 360 panel lamented the disadvantage the Perth Bears are at, given they join the NRL next year but don’t have any extra compensation benefits to help attract results.
“I was saying ages ago how much of an advantage they (PNG) have got and a disadvantage Perth have got it because there’s no compensation there,” Anasta said.
“Now everyone might get the sh*ts because this is actually happening and it’s going to attract players like him. It’s actually a reality now.
Paul Crawley added: “The poor Perth Bears, they’re up against it. It’s not a fair fight.
“The fact they get absolutely no help from the salary cap or anything else. From a Perth perspective, it’s no wonder they’re struggling.
“It now opens the eyes of rival clubs to what they may face for any potential players the Chiefs may go after next.”
Riccio said: “Can we not underestimate the advantage the Chiefs have through their tax free dollars.
“Therefore 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.”
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.
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.
According to Code, Luai will take home an extra $1 million across 2028 and 2029 if he remains on the same $1.2 million salary in PNG.
No official announcement has been made, but Luai had to make a decision on his contract clause by Thursday, April 30.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape heralded Luai’s weekend visit to Port Moresby as proof the Chiefs will be able to attract big-name NRL players.
“To have a player of Jarome Luai’s calibre visit our country, experience our culture, meet our people, and see what Papua New Guinea has to offer is heartwarming for our nation,” the Prime Minister said.
“On behalf of the people and Government of Papua New Guinea, I welcome him and his family to our country.
“To be the first high-profile player to come and show interest in our team is something we deeply appreciate.
“It sends a message that Papua New Guinea is ready, rugby league is strong here, and our future in the NRL is bright.”
Chiefs sign record-breaking Rabbitoh
It was a landmark day for the Chiefs with try-scoring machine Alex Johnston confirming on Instagram that he is set to play for them in 2028 when they join the competition.
Johnston, 31, has another year to run on his Rabbitohs deal and is then expected to make the move north, with the legendary winger having played 12 Tests for the Kumuls.
Johnston made his NRL debut with the Rabbitohs in 2014 and has scored a record 219 tries for the club. He has been honoured with a statue in front of their headquarters in Maroubra.
It was at the statue unveiling in March that the PNG representative spoke of his desire to sign with the Chiefs when they enter the comp in 2028.
“It’d be cool to be the first signature over there, but I bleed red and green. I’ve still got this year and next year at the club,” he said at the time.
“If I’m still kicking and still got some miles on these legs, I’ll go from there and see where I end up.
“I love this club. I’ve always wanted to be a one-club player, and I’m in this position now. Things could go either way.
“They just love rugby league so much over there, the Chiefs, every week they’ll get massive support.
“It’s something I probably want to be a part of.
“Obviously, I’d love to stay at Souths. But the footy over there, I think everyone needs to experience it. I fell in love with the game of footy going over there.”
– With NewsWire
