Jarome Luai’s future at the Wests Tigers has taken a dramatic turn, and one rival club is already emerging as the favourite to secure the four-time premiership winner if he leaves Concord early.
Despite earning a reported $1.2 million per season, Luai has reportedly been granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs for the 2027 season as the Tigers look to reshape their roster and free up salary cap space.
According to reports first broken by Code Sports and confirmed by multiple outlets, the Tigers informed Luai last week that they would not stand in the way of an early exit despite him remaining contracted before his scheduled move to the PNG franchise in 2028.
The biggest winner could be Parramatta.
MORE NEWS: NRL: Thomas Jenkins Chasing 91-Year NRL Try-Scoring Record As Panthers Flyer Eyes History
Reports indicate the Eels have emerged as the frontrunners for Luai’s signature should he become available, while the Perth Bears are also monitoring the situation as they continue building their inaugural squad.
For Parramatta, the attraction is obvious.
Luai remains one of the NRL’s elite five-eighths, boasting four premierships, State of Origin experience and a proven ability to perform in the biggest moments. Pairing him with Mitchell Moses would instantly create one of the competition’s most dangerous halves combinations.
Perth, meanwhile, also has a compelling case.
Although Luai is already committed to joining the PNG franchise in 2028, the Bears could target him as a marquee signing for 2027 while they continue assembling a competitive roster ahead of their inaugural season.
So why are the Tigers prepared to let him leave?
The decision appears to be driven by long-term roster planning rather than Luai’s performances.
By releasing one of the club’s biggest earners a year early, Wests would create valuable salary cap flexibility to retain emerging stars—particularly highly rated playmaker Latu Fainu—while continuing to lock in the young core it believes can lead the club into the future.
The club has already re-signed Jahream Bula, Sunia Turuva, Heamasi Makasini and the May brothers, while Jake Averillo is due to arrive for the 2027 season.
Luai’s response suggested the news wasn’t expected.
Shortly after the reports surfaced, the 29-year-old posted a photo to Instagram with the caption:
“God’s plan not mine.”
The message was accompanied by the song Moving On, fuelling speculation that the decision had come from the Tigers rather than the player himself.
If Luai does leave, it would mark one of the most surprising twists of the NRL season.
He was recruited as the face of Benji Marshall’s rebuild and handed one of the richest contracts in club history.
Now, less than two seasons later, the Tigers appear prepared to move on.
Whether that proves to be a masterstroke or a costly mistake will depend on what comes next.
If Latu Fainu develops into the elite half many believe he can become, the Tigers may be applauded for making a tough but necessary call.
If not, they could spend years wondering whether letting one of rugby league’s biggest stars walk away was the wrong gamble.
MORE NEWS: Parramatta Eels Circle Moses Leota as Panthers Face Massive Contract Call
