Parker takes aim at Luai Pepsi stunt: "It stinks"

Corey Parker has taken aim at Jarome Luai after the controversial star was unveiled by Pepsi Papua New Guinea as a new brand ambassador.

It’s the first major cash opportunity the club’s marquee signing has latched on to, but given he is still more than 12 months away from making the move to join the new NRL license for its inaugural season, the publicity around the deal has left a bitter taste for some.

It was confirmed in April that Luai would be one of the biggest names to play for the Chiefs when they enter the competition in 2028, but the 29-year-old still has two games to play for his current club, Wests Tigers, before he spends 2027 with the Eels.

“This is a team that he's going to be representing in two years' time,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.

“He’s at the Parramatta Eels next year, he's still a contracted Tigers player. He was brought to the Tigers to be the saviour, to turn the culture around and lead.

“He was all on board saying ‘I'm in here for the boys, I'm in here for the long haul’ and then he got out of it.

“I think it stinks, to be fair; he's not breaking any rules, but I don’t like it.”

In another blow for Luai, Parker also believes the Eels would be better off playing Ronny Volkman given the late surge in form the 24-year-old has shown.

“After hearing the comments Moses made after the game about Volkman last week at the moment, Ronny’s form might make you lean towards favouring him over Luai,” Parker added.