Jarome Luai agrees deal to join PNG Chiefs from 2028

{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-04-28T06:46:20Z","datePublished":"2026-04-28T06:46:20Z","description":"The Wests Tigers co-captain has informed teammates he will move to the NRL’s expansion franchise on what is expected to be a three-year deal after next season.","headline":"Jarome Luai agrees to join PNG Chiefs from 2028","keywords":"NRL 2026, Wests Tigers, Just in","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Adrian Proszenko","jobTitle":"Chief Rugby League Reporter","url":"/by/adrian-proszenko-hveqs"}],"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/jarome-luai-agrees-deal-to-join-png-chiefs-from-2028-20260428-p5zrtn.html","@type":"WebPage"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"1322.6666666666665","url":"https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.5703%2C$multiply_0.7025%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_414%2C$y_206/t_crop_custom/q_86%2Cf_auto/b07d375cd082a7bcb2b42b9b1394035cbca7f50a","width":"744"},"isAccessibleForFree":false,"hasPart":[{"@type":"WebPageElement","isAccessibleForFree":false,"cssSelector":".paywall"}],"publisher":{"@type":"NewsMediaOrganization","name":"The Sydney Morning Herald","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"628","url":"https://www.smh.com.au/metro-assets/assets/static/smh.png","width":"1200"},"url":"https://www.smh.com.au"},"isPartOf":{"@type":["CreativeWork","Product"],"name":"The Sydney Morning Herald","productID":"smh.com.au:webonly"}}{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/sport","name":"Sport"},"position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl","name":"NRL"},"position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","item":{"@id":"https://www.smh.com.au/topic/nrl-2026-6i10","name":"NRL 2026"},"position":3}]}AdvertisementUpdatedSportNRLNRL 2026Jarome Luai agrees to join PNG Chiefs from 2028Adrian ProszenkoApril 28, 2026 — 4:46pmSaveYou have reached your maximum number of saved items.Remove items from your saved list to add more.ShareAAAJarome Luai has agreed to join the NRL’s expansion franchise PNG Chiefs on what is expected to be a three-year deal from 2028.The Wests Tigers co-captain informed his teammates of the move when he arrived for training on Tuesday and is expected to front the media to explain his decision on Wednesday.LoadingThe signature of the playmaker, a four-time premiership winner with Penrith, is a huge coup for the Chiefs, giving them a marquee player they can build their roster around.It is a clear statement to the rest of the rugby league world that the fledgling franchise has huge ambition and will a force to be reckoned with in the player market.AdvertisementOn a landmark day for the Chiefs, the new club also secured South Sydney winger Alex Johnston.The record-breaking Rabbitoh was contracted to the club until the end of next year, but a clause in his deal allowed him to negotiate with the Chiefs at any time of his choosing.Jarome Luai leaves Wests Tigers training on Tuesday.Sam MooyLuai’s presence at the Tigers was critical in the joint-venture club attracting and retaining other big names, and he is sure to prove a major drawcard for Chiefs coach Willie Peters’ team when it comes to recruitment.The 29-year-old will also bring immense value to the club in a marketing capacity. On top of being able to offer tax-free salaries under a deal between the Australian and PNG governments, Luai’s high profile is likely to make it easier…

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