Overview
- Luai, unveiled Wednesday as the Chiefs’ first signing, agreed to a two-year deal for 2028 and 2029 with a player option for 2030.
- Wests Tigers confirmed he activated a clause to stay through 2027 on his current deal before departing for the expansion club.
- A weekend visit to Port Moresby, including a meeting with Prime Minister James Marape and time with his family, convinced him the move carried a broader social mission.
- His Chiefs salary will be tax-free, and league leaders say third-party sponsorships in PNG are also tax-free, which could lift a star’s take-home pay to well over $1 million a year.
- The PNG project has heavy government backing, reported at A$600 million, which, along with the Luai coup and a likely Alex Johnston signing, signals an aggressive recruitment push that rival clubs say will reshape the market.