Wests Tigers star Jarome Luai given permission to negotiate with rival clubs for shock early exit
Wests Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai could be fast-tracked out of the club a year early, leaving the star five-eighth on the lookout for a new club before he is due to join the PNG Chiefs.
Michael Carayannis and David Riccio
less than 2 min read
July 9, 2026 - 2:24PM
Wests Tigers have granted co-captain Jarome Luai permission to leave the NRL club as early as the end of this season.
It is understood that the Tigers approached Luai a week ago to tell the five-eighth he would be free to move on, despite having one year left on his contract.
The parties have been in talks since then as the Tigers look to make salary cap space to retain the Fainu brothers, having already locked down a heap of emerging talent.
Luai has already signed a $1.2 million contract to become PNG’s first signing for 2028, but it is now understood he could be squeezed out of the club as early as this year as the Tigers look to make salary cap space.
Luai still has 12 months left on his deal but it is now highly unlikely he will be at the club beyond this season.
The 29-year-old agreed in April to join the Chiefs for the 2028 season, with the Tigers waiving the 10-day cooling off period to allow him to take up a one-year option to remain at the Tigers for next season.
However his time at the Tigers could last just two seasons.
He became one of the highest-paid players in the competition when he left the Panthers at the end of 2024 season – with four premierships to his name – to take up a deal at the Tigers.
Since Luai announced he was leaving the Tigers the club have been in the midst of a re-signing spree. The likes of Jahream Bula, Terrell and Taylan May, Sunia Turuva and Heamasi Makasini have all inked upgraded deals to remain with the club.
The Tigers have also signed Dolphins utility back Jake Averillo to a four-year deal from next season and they will now turn their attention to locking down the Fainu brothers on long-term deals.
Averillo is also a potential halves option for the Tigers next season to partner Adam Doueihi.
Luai has been named to make his return for the Tigers against the Warriors on Friday night in a must-win game if they are any chance of keeping their slim finals hopes alive.
Luai missed their last-start loss to St George Illawarra because of concussion.