Luai's Early Exit
Wests Tigers grant high-earner Jarome Luai early departure for salary cap relief.
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Key Points
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Jarome Luai is set to become the PNG Chiefs' first signing as they prepare to enter the NRL in 2028, marking a landmark move for the incoming franchise.
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The Tigers are aiming to free up more than $1 million in salary cap space by allowing Luai to depart early, to fund extensions for other core players.
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Halves depth at the Tigers remains solid with Adam Doueihi contracted to 2029, Jock Madden bound for next season, and Jake Averillo joining on a long-term deal, alongside Latu Fainu contracted to 2027.
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There is talk Luai could be pursued by other clubs on a one-year deal, with the Perth Bears reportedly weighing a late bid for 2027 amid Luai’s looming exit.
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Luai’s high salary and the team’s form decline have drawn scrutiny, with media noting injuries and urging him to demonstrate his value in upcoming games.
The Wests Tigers have given five-eighth Jarome Luai permission to leave the club at the end of the 2026 season — one year before his contract expires — in a move that could free up more than $1.2 million in salary cap space, according to Fox Sports. Luai, the club's highest-paid player, has already signed a deal to join the PNG Chiefs when they enter the NRL in 2028.
The early release clears the path for the Tigers to lock in contract extensions for several core players. It also raises the question of where Luai lands in 2027, with Fox Sports reporting the Perth Bears are weighing a move for the four-time premiership winner.
Tigers Eye $1.2 Million Cap Relief to Rebuild Core
Luai earns around $1.2 million per season — the biggest salary on the Tigers' books. By letting him go a year early, the club aims to redirect that money toward extensions for key players. Katherine Times reports the Tigers want to retain Latu Fainu, Jahream Bula, the May brothers, Sunia Turuva, and Heamasi Makasini. Fainu is already contracted until 2027.
The Tigers are not left short in the halves. Adam Doueihi is signed through to 2029. Jock Madden is contracted for next season. Jake Averillo has also joined on a long-term deal. The club says it remains competitive at half-back and five-eighth with those three plus Fainu, according to Fox Sports.
PNG Chiefs Land Luai as Their Marquee 2028 Signing
Luai will become the PNG Chiefs' first and most high-profile signing when the new franchise kicks off in 2028. The Sporting Base describes it as a landmark move for the incoming club, which is set to be the NRL's 18th team. The deal gives Luai a clear runway and financial security beyond his time in Sydney.
The PNG deal also gives the Tigers leverage. With Luai's future locked in for 2028, offering him an early exit for 2027 costs the club nothing in long-term planning. It simply accelerates the cap relief by one full season, according to NVI.
Perth Bears Circle as Luai's 2027 Options Take Shape
With Luai free to negotiate, the Perth Bears have reportedly shown interest in signing him for 2027, according to Fox Sports. A one-year deal would bridge the gap before his PNG Chiefs contract begins. Perth is due to enter the NRL in 2027, making Luai a marquee name for their debut season.
Other clubs could also enter the race. Luai is a four-time premiership winner and former Blues half. Despite a dip in form this season, his name still carries weight. The Sporting Base notes his high salary could be a hurdle, but a short-term deal may suit both sides.
Form Slump and Injuries Add Pressure to Luai's Final Months
Luai's time at the Tigers has not been without turbulence. Injuries have limited him this season, and his performances have drawn criticism in the media. Bega District News notes the pressure on Luai to prove his value in the games that remain. The Tigers named him captain, but results on the field have fallen short of expectations.
The Tigers sit in a tough spot on the ladder. Letting their highest-paid and most experienced playmaker go early is a bold call. But the club appears to believe that spreading that $1.2 million across several younger players gives them a better shot at long-term success than keeping Luai for one more season, according to Fox Sports.
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