Jarome Luai has announced he will join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs for the 2028 NRL season, becoming the face of the expansion side. The Wests Tigers playmaker has signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs, with an option for a third year, and will move to Port Moresby after fulfilling his contract at Concord in 2027.
Luai, 29, visited Papua New Guinea over the weekend with his family, where he was hosted by Prime Minister James Marape. The Samoan international described the visit as eye-opening, saying the opportunity to grow the sport in the country influenced his decision more than the tax-free salary. “Being over there, you sort of realise that it’s bigger than a game over there,” Luai said. “It was probably more the vision that I resonated with.”
The five-eighth is currently in the second year of his five-year deal with the Tigers, which includes options to leave after years three, four and five. He has told the club he will stay for the 2027 season on his current $1.2 million-a-year contract before departing for the Chiefs.
Meanwhile, South Sydney try-scoring record holder Alex Johnston has become the Chiefs’ first signing. The 31-year-old confirmed the move on social media on Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $325,000 tax-free. Johnston passed Ken Irvine’s long-standing try-scoring record earlier this season and now has 219 career tries.
The Chiefs’ entry into the NRL had raised concerns about attracting top talent due to security issues in Papua New Guinea. Luai said his family’s visit allayed those fears. “It [safety] was all there … and there’s some really [great] people behind all of that,” he added.
