Luai leaves Tigers for Eels ahead of PNG Chiefs debut

Toa Samoa international Jarome Luai will join Parramatta for the 2027 NRL season.

At the time, he said he was at the Tigers for another 18 months and still had a job to do there.

But the Tigers said this week the club has mutually agreed to release him from the final year of his contract "following extensive discussions between Luai, his management and the Wests Tigers".

Tigers coach Benji Marshall said open and honest discussions had been held over the past four to five weeks.

"He made the decision to go [to] PNG, which is all good and we supported him through that," Marshall said.

"Now, we've made a decision based on what we think is best for our long-term future.

"To Jarome's credit, he accepted it really well."

Marshall said what people probably don't see is Luai's involvement in the club's culture and professionalism.

"We love what he brings. But moving forward, we're prioritising guys that are probably going to be here for the next 10 years, not for the next 12 months."

Marshall dismissed speculation there was a relationship breakdown with Luai.

He said Luai's decision has since given the club time to look at its playing roster around the five-eighth position.

"We've got kids coming through in the same positions. If we hold a couple of those kids back another 12 months, we might lose those kids."

Parramatta Eels general manager of football Mark O'Neill said Luai's record speaks for itself.

"Winning four premierships requires an exceptional level of commitment, consistency and professionalism," he said.

"Beyond what he offers on the field, we believe Jarome will have a tremendous impact on our younger players coming through the system."

After a year at Parramatta, Luai will join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs for the 2028 NRL season.

Merchandise mess

Meanwhile, counterfeit merchandise for the PNG Chiefs is already available in local markets.

NBC PNG reported Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson saying some individuals are taking advantage of the public's excitement.

She said the club hasn't released its branding yet, with their club logo still being finalized.

McPherson said every counterfeit product sold takes money away from the community initiatives that the club was created to build for Papua New Guinea.