BREAKING: Luai’s 2027 club confirmed after shock Tigers exit
Jarome Luai’s next destination has reportedly been locked in, with the Wests Tigers star set to spend the 2027 season at Parramatta before linking up with the PNG franchise according to CODE Sports.
Read more Colts ready to dump once-promising franchise QB as Cowboys emerge in surprise trade buzz
Luai’s future became one of the biggest talking points in the NRL after the Tigers granted him permission to leave a year earlier than expected, despite initially being contracted through the 2027 season.
The four-time premiership winner was already committed to joining the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural NRL campaign in 2028, but will now make a short-term move elsewhere before beginning the next chapter of his career.
Parramatta has emerged as the winner of the race for Luai’s services, with the Eels securing the star five-eighth for the 2027 season as they look to add experience and elite playmaking ability to their roster.
MORE: Benji Marshall slams ‘made up’ Luai rumours, blasts media
The move will see Luai reunite with Mitchell Moses in the halves after the pair previously combined at State of Origin level for NSW, including during the Blues’ 2024 series-winning campaign.
The Eels have endured a difficult period in recent seasons and are desperate to return to finals contention, with Luai’s arrival giving them one of the competition’s most creative and proven attacking players.
Getty Images
For Luai, the move provides an opportunity to reset after a challenging stint at the Tigers, where the club’s struggles failed to match the expectations that came with signing one of the game’s biggest stars.
The Tigers are reportedly set to contribute financially towards Luai’s contract as part of the move, allowing them to create further salary cap flexibility while continuing their rebuild under coach Benji Marshall.
The one-year arrangement also allows Parramatta to add a marquee player without disrupting the development pathway of their emerging halves, who will continue pushing towards long-term NRL roles.
Luai’s move now means his next two seasons are set, with the playmaker preparing for a fresh challenge at Parramatta before becoming one of the faces of PNG’s historic entry into the NRL in 2028.
The former Panther will undoubtedly enter the 2027 season with plenty to prove, but his arrival gives the Eels a proven big-game performer capable of changing their fortunes quickly, if the gamble pays off.
Comments