Overview
- Wests Tigers confirmed Luai has been granted an early release and will leave the club at the end of the 2026 NRL season, with multiple outlets reporting he will play for the Parramatta Eels on a one-year deal in 2027.
- Luai remains committed as the PNG Chiefs’ marquee signing for their inaugural 2028 NRL entry, creating a two-step move that now covers his next two seasons.
- The Tigers’ form slid after Luai announced his PNG link, losing eight of 10 matches since April 29, and the club says the early exit lets it prioritise long-term development of halves prospects Javon Andrews and Latu Fainu.
- Coach Benji Marshall has publicly denied any personal rift with Luai and said the decision was made openly and in the club’s interest, while Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters criticised the mid-season PNG visit clause as an unusual distraction.
- Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh publicly left the door open to a short-term code switch for Luai, a move that has reignited cross-code talk and raised debate about recruitment during the Wallabies’ active international campaign.