The Eels are facing a “circus” next season with the impending arrival of Jarome Luai, who was met with heavy criticism this week for his latest trip to Papua New Guinea.
The Tigers playmaker was spotted at a golf tournament in Port Moresby on the weekend, pictured with PNG Prime Minister James Marape and Australian golfer Josh Armstrong.
It was reported that Tigers officials only became aware of the trip when pictures were posted to social media, although Luai had on another ocassion been given permission to travel to PNG.
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After signing with the Chiefs for 2028, Luai’s schedule became considerably more busy due to his third-party deals, having recently become the face of Pepsi in PNG.
For Fox League’s Paul Crawley, Luai’s off-field commitments could become an issue for the Eels who have inherited their marquee signing’s balancing act for the 2027 season.
“Parramatta, you spoke last night about Luai doing his hit and run visit to PNG. The Wests Tigers, to their credit, they don’t get too many ticks from me,” Crawley said on NRL360.
“But on this occasion they have cut the umbilical cord. They’ve said ‘go for your life, we have one game to go’.
“This is Parramatta’s problem now, because Parramatta have just paid $700,000 to bring a circus into the club.
“They have. They have got the answer playing beside Mitchell Moses at the moment, but instead of giving him a decent offer, they’ve gone and signed this bloke for $700,000.
“This will continue next year, because Jarome Luai, they have gone into this deal eyes wide open and this will continue next year and Parramatta can’t whinge about it.”
Crawley’s comments come after The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie labelled Luai’s trip to Papua New Guinea a “disgrace”.
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“Parramatta, welcome to Jarome’s world next year. It shouldn’t be happening. The Tigers or NRL should step in,” he said.
While it was revealed the Tigers were given two days off, facing a long turnaround ahead of their clash against the Panthers, Braith Anasta also said he “wouldn’t have allowed it”.
