Jarome Luai has dismissed claims of hypocrisy in his decision to depart from his contract with the Wests Tigers to join Papua New Guinea, insisting that the motivation behind the move isn’t financial.
The talented playmaker was officially announced as the first signing for the Chiefs on Wednesday. He is set to join the new NRL side in 2028 and has committed to two seasons, with the possibility of extending his contract into 2030.
Previously, Luai was under contract with the Tigers until the end of 2029, but his deal includes annual player option clauses that grant him the flexibility to leave the club.
Last year, the four-time premiership winner was vocal in criticising young player Lachlan Galvin for abandoning the Tigers, advocating for a “team first” approach.
During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Luai addressed accusations of abandoning his own team.
“It’s a complex situation—two entirely different scenarios,” he remarked.
“I choose to be mature about this and not involve Lachie in a situation that he’s not part of. He’s now got a significant role with the Bulldogs.”
Jarome Luai addressing the media following his signing with the PNG Chiefs. Nine
“I understand the ‘team first’ concept is being thrown around a lot… I’m committed to the Tigers for another 18 months. I live and breathe that philosophy; my brothers know it, and they support me and my family.
“When I depart, this club will be in a strong position.”
Luai revealed it was a tough decision to inform his Tigers teammates and coaches on Tuesday about his move to the Chiefs at the end of 2027.
On Wednesday, he expressed his gratitude to Tigers coach Benji Marshall, the club, his teammates, his family, and his management for facilitating his transition to the league’s 19th team.
Currently earning $1.2 million annually with the Tigers, it is anticipated that Luai will receive a comparable salary with the Chiefs, although his earnings there will be tax-free.
This arrangement effectively increases his yearly earnings by over half a million dollars.
While he acknowledged the allure of tax-free income “initiated discussions”, he maintained that the ultimate choice was not primarily about money.
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“I know many expect me to cite the appeal of a tax-free wage… but that wasn’t the decisive factor in finalising the deal,” he stated.
“Experiencing the culture over there, you realise it transcends mere sport. In time, we’ll have the opportunity to positively impact many lives.
“It was an incredible experience, with my family and son accompanying me.
“It’s a vision that struck a chord with me. Being Polynesian, I see many parallels with Samoa. The contributions this team will make for its community could uplift a nation, something that really resonated with me.
“Everything happened quite rapidly; it was indeed a whirlwind. Given the structure of my (Tigers) contract, we adhered to all regulations throughout this process, which I believe many fail to appreciate.”
MORE TO COME.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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