Chiefs chase Luai’s signature

The former Penrith Panthers’ four-time premiership winner and current Wests Tigers’ five-eight, Jarome Luai, arrived in Port Moresby yesterday (April 26th) upon the PNG Chiefs powerbrokers’ invitation.  

It has been reported that Luai’s visit to PNG was being coordinated by Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson and General Manager Michael Chammas, allowing the star player to tour the club’s facilities before any negotiation talks began. 

Luai met with McPherson and Chammas, including Prime Minister James Marape, ahead of his contract deadline on Thursday, April 30th, 2026. He faces a dilemma over whether to stay with the Tigers or walk away. 

According to Code Sports, the skillful five-eight must inform the Tigers by Thursday (April 30th) and make up his mind whether to extend his stay in Leichhardt or explore his options elsewhere, possibly joining the Chiefs.

The Samoan international's future hangs in limbo amid reports suggesting that he could be the Chiefs’ first major marquee signing for their inaugural season in 2028, as excitement and uncertainty build up in his playing future. 

Luai, 29, signed a five-year deal with the Tigers at the end of the 2024 season, with his contract running until 2029. However, the playmaker has a yearly clause in his deal that allows him to stay at the Tigers or leave.

There is a possibility that the 29-year-old could choose to play for the Tigers in 2027 and then take his talent to the Chiefs in 2028, where he could earn $2 million a season on tax-free money. 

Though Luai is very close to coach Benji Marshall, who was the reason behind his defection from the Panthers to the Tigers, the lucrative money on offer in PNG may lure him to join the Chiefs.

If Luai signs with the PNG Chiefs, he would leave the Tigers three years early before completing his contract worth around $1.2 million per season. It means the five-eight would have to earn more than $2 million per season with the Chiefs.   

Interestingly, the Chiefs are reportedly set to make a play for Nathan Cleary, who will test the open market on November 1st, and could reunite with his former Panthers teammate in PNG.

With November 1st fast approaching, the PNG Chiefs will enter the open market and start recruiting players, especially those who are off contract and undecided in their playing future, creating an opportunity for them to join the 19th team and enjoy its perks and privileges. 

Jarome Luai made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers in 2018. With 156 games under his belt, having played for the Panthers and Tigers, he has scored 27 tries, made 12 appearances for the NSW Blues in the State of Origin, and capped 16 Tests for Samoa.