Jarome Luai is very likely join the Parramatta Eels for a season before heading over to helm the Papua New Guinea expansion, though the Perth Bears have now waded into the surprise signing battle with a super-charged bid.
The Tigers captain has been told he can leave a year early after a shock fallout between him and Benji Marshall recently, which largely started after Luai took up a lucrative PNG deal for 2028.
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Reports have suggested that the Eels are in the “box seat” to sign the 29-year-old for a single stopover year — that’s per Brent Read on Fox Sports’ NRL 360 — but it won’t be quite as simple as they’d like.
The Bears are prepping a huge one-year pay day for the proven match winner, with desperation mounting on the west coast thanks to zero star signings for their inaugural season (they start in 2027). The Panthers have also taken notice, though they still prefer Blaize Talagi long-term.
Some have suggested Rugby Australia are now sniffing around too. That would only eventuate if Luai thought he could play in the 2027 World Cup.
Should the Eels get their man, it would be the second time in as many seasons that they’ve basically kept a half warm for another team; Jonah Pezet is playing there right now alongside Mitch Moses, but is heading to the Broncos on a long-term contract from 2027 onward.
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This Sporting Base writer would argue that whole arrangement has been a total failure for the Eels, who are running 15th after 19 rounds.
That they’re going back to the same playbook suggests Parramatta may not be happy with the youngsters that have coming through, or want to try for a title before Moses retires (or leaves).
Reports the Base have heard put Perth as the biggest cash offer.
What that means is that it basically comes down to another NRL title tilt for Luai, versus more money before his big PNG pay day.
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