OFFICIAL Jarome Luai - #295

China has been looking at this already. Very smart move using sport as diplomacy. Fiji, Tonga and Samoa have mentioned they want help with Rugby pathways and development. We already have a foreign aid budget (don’t think it includes sport). Local Rugby if part of the fabric of society and culture in Fiji. I’ve been to Rugby games over there, it’s a huge part of the lifestyle of the country. Every afternoon the are games of touch football on the beaches. They watch a lot of NRL, Village stores have TV with games on loop all week. It makes sense to tap into this as we have a common bond over sport.
Good pick. Was shocked to see the Chinese influence in Tonga, basically they bought out /own all the retail outlets and locals cant get a look in. Not sure if they enjoy RL or union, maybe badminton....
 
I imagine legislation will be required in Australia to chang the tax laws, otherwise NRL players will need to be treated the same as other Australians. As it stands the income earned in PNG will be subject to Australian tax if the tax office considers them Australian residents for tax purposes. That legislation might have trouble passing the senate.
 
As much as I admire Jarome for his leadership and what he has done us off field - I don’t think he has represented value with his on field performances.
Ironically, I am hoping that this will be the making of him on field. He has his future settled (look at the difference in performance in Twally and AD once they were sorted) and he will want to go the Chiefs on a very upward trajectory as he is their marquee.
 
I imagine legislation will be required in Australia to chang the tax laws, otherwise NRL players will need to be treated the same as other Australians. As it stands the income earned in PNG will be subject to Australian tax if the tax office considers them Australian residents for tax purposes. That legislation might have trouble passing the senate.

they passed legislation to account for the $600m spend … did that also include this tax provision? I don’t know .. asking the question…

Considering their is bi- partisan support for the PNG team .. I don’t think it will be much of an issue getting it through
 
Last edited:
For mine, you can't begrudge Jarome for the move with the big bucks on offer.

He's also leaving us in a decent position to firm up the roster from 2027.

All up, three years from a marquee player after wooden spoons and plenty of time to plan the roster is a pretty good outcome.
Exactly. One could argue he/Benji/Richo will have accomplished what they set out to achieve I.e Culture change and standards set.
I get people upset about it, but it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and it opens up the pathways for some of our better juniors which was going to become troublesome if he was here for the full 5 years.
He’s too professional to not give his best for the rest of his time here and I’m grateful he had the guts (albeit well compensated) to take a punt on us.
 
In the early days of ESL international players were given generous tax concessions and there was a flood of players heading over there. The British government closed the loophole after a few years and the move became far less attractive. I guess the same will happen in PNG
 
In the early days of ESL international players were given generous tax concessions and there was a flood of players heading over there. The British government closed the loophole after a few years and the move became far less attractive. I guess the same will happen in PNG

After they win a couple of comps I would suggest … might happen a lot sooner than first thought
 
For mine, you can't begrudge Jarome for the move with the big bucks on offer.

He's also leaving us in a decent position to firm up the roster from 2027.

All up, three years from a marquee player after wooden spoons and plenty of time to plan the roster is a pretty good outcome.
It’s not the fact that luai is going it’s what he takes with him , if we lose the MAY brothers , BULA , TURUVA and maybe some others we are in big shit 💩, this could set the tigers back another 10 years ,
And this all comes about because ALBO wants to sure up his labour party’s reach , why didn’t the BEARS get millions .
And another point how long will this tax free money go for is it 1year or for ever , so Aussie club will bring the kids through and spend money on them only to see them jump on the money trail to PNG
 
Like many im ok with Romey chasing his bag and equally disappointed, because of his ill be here if they look after me speech. In saying that i will be very annoyed if he poaches our players.

I understand if turuva goes but im hoping the api link keeps him but anyone else is off limits imo. I understand technically its not but from a 'we have treated you well' point of view i hope he does the same and treats us well re not poaching.
 
I think Luai is a good player but not worth the money he’s on, and it gives Latu Fainu & Javon Andrew’s or even Jock Madden an opportunity for the future to replace him plus we will have lots of funds to buy another quality player or two.
I think Latu & Javon are our future halves combination depending how Doueihi performs along with Madden. We are well covered in the halves if we keep these four players. Hopefully Luai wins a premiership or two with us before he goes
 
The club i feel the most sorry for are Perth. Coming in at the same time as PNG but PNG have virtually an unlimited salary cap and the Bears are directly competing with them trying to recruit players. Its like a one legged man in a bum kicking contest.
They have signed 18 players , and yes not world beaters but still 18 , those guys could have gone to PNG if asked and earned the full tilt of cash , PNG is not a destination to live , Perth is
 
Back
Top