Luai breaks silence over bombshell PNG deal

Jarome Luai insists he is "all in" for the Wests Tigers and will give "everything to his brothers" in the 18 months before he moves to the inaugural PNG team.

A day after it was confirmed the superstar would join the 19th NRL franchise which will enter the competition for season 2028, Luai broke his silence in a media conference at the Tigers' training ground.

"I’m here for 18 months," he said. "I live and breathe team first. My brothers are happy for me and my family and this club will be in a great position when I leave.

"It was tough bro, the timing of it all, mid-season, but this is something me and my family had to consider.

"Me and coach (Benji Marshall) we had a good chat. He understands how much this place means to me. He reinforced to me that I’m here for another full season and we have some special things to do before I leave."

Luai, who joined the Tigers ahead of the 2025 season, activated a clause in his contract that allows him to pursue other opportunities.

He was photographed in PNG last weekend and the rumour mill went into overdrive that he would become one of the first major signings for the new team.

While clearly thrilled with what the future holds, Luai insists he will give everything he has to the Tigers for the next 18months.

"I'm excited for the future but am a big believer in how you hold yourself in the now," he continued. "I have a job to do. These boys need me.

"They know what this team means to me and I have to prove that week in week out with my performance.

"I'm ready to rock this Sunday.

"I understand and realise I am here for 18 months. I will give my all to the team and my brothers. This place will be a great place to be when the time comes to leave."

Asked what his legacy would be, he said: "Leave my jersey in a better position, leave a place that players want to come and play. I’ll make sure that happens."

Luai's comments come after Jarrod Croker questioned his commitment to the Tigers.

The securing of the four-time premiership player is a massive development for the club, which has also reportedly signed South Sydney winger and PNG representative Alex Johnston.

Reflecting on the news, the Raiders legend was thrilled that the Chiefs had secured a marquee signing.

“I'm happy for the Chiefs,” Croker told SEN’s Sportsday with Rat and Jarrod.

“I think it's a great signing. I love what they've done by getting a big name straight away.”

Throughout his time at the Wests Tigers, the star five-eighth has faced plenty of discussion as to whether he would leave the club.

When the star half initially signed, the former Panther was given a player option for each season after his first two years to leave the club.

In that time, Luai had said that he would be with the Tigers for the long run.

The 29-year-old was also highly critical when former teammate Lachlan Galvin left the Tigers halfway through last season to join the Bulldogs.

While Croker notes that Luai has done nothing wrong in regard to his contract, he did wonder how Tigers fans would feel watching him play for the next two seasons, given his previous statement.

“I just don't know how I feel if I'm a Tigers fan,” he continued.

“There was a lot of speculation on Jarome Luai last year. He went quite hard at Lachie Galvin when he left.

“(Jahream) Bula did as well; a few of them went quite hard at Lachie.

“I know it's a different situation, you're not packing up and leaving mid-year, it's not bad circumstances by any means.

“He had a five-year deal, so he had two extra years left after (2027), saying he's all in, and then coming out and signing halfway through for another team.

“Is he all in (now) knowing that he's got those $1.2 tax-free million dollars?

“I just don't know how to be if I'm a Tigers fan.”

Rogers, however, believes that Luai has earned the right to make this move.

“He's earned the right to go and do that,” Rogers said.

“I know there are gonna be some disappointed Wests Tigers fans.

“I think he'll be 31 by the time he gets up there, (so he's) still got some good footy left in him.

“I'm 100% OK with it.”