Paul Gallen has warned clubs against signing PNG-bound Jarome Luai until 2027, saying they would open their doors to Chiefs’ “No. 1 recruiter”.
But Allana Ferguson believes the Premier League-winning playmaker would be a smart signing for any club looking to better support their new midfielders and bolster their leadership skills.
Jerome Louai. Getty
Wests Tigers confirmed on Saturday that Luai would leave at the end of this season after shocking the rugby league world by telling him he was free to find a new home a year before he moved to PNG.
Where the 29-year-old will spend his gap year remains to be seen, but Parramatta appears to be closing in on his signature.
It’s likely that no matter where he lands in 2027, the Tigers will have to subsidize some of the $1.2 million he’s owed.
“I’m a big fan of Jarome Luai as a player and I think he’s a great person off the pitch and he has a lot to bring to the club,” Ferguson, a former Hillaroos and Blues star, told Nine’s. 100% cloudy on Monday evening.
“He can certainly help the younger players through the ranks and he has great leadership qualities that will help the club over the next 12 months.
“Obviously it’s not what most clubs need, but there’s a place for him. I think he’ll do a great job wherever he ends up.”
Gallen clapped back and asked, “Do you want him there?”
To which Ferguson replied: “Why wouldn’t you want Jarome Luai to help a young midfielder through his journey?”
According to Gallen, there is no doubt that Luai will spend the year on the road trying to sell the PNG dream to his teammates for 2027.
“He will be the No. 1 recruiter for PNG Chiefs,” the former Sharks and Blues captain said.
“I love him, absolutely great player, I’m with you.
“But he will definitely, without a doubt, be their biggest recruiter.
“And I can’t blame him for that. If I go to PNG Chiefs, I want the best team with me. So why don’t you talk to every single person in the dressing room? Why not? I can’t imagine him not doing that.”
Young playmaker Jonah Peset will leave Parramatta for Brisbane at the end of the season.
The Eels have a couple of promising young players in the Eels’ system in Lincoln Fletcher and Lorenzo Talataina, but it is clear they are not quite ready for first grade.
Signing Luai for 2027 would give Parramatta another 12 months to prepare Fletcher and Talataina for the big event.
Luai will be reunited with Mitchell Moses – his midfield partner in the NSW Blues’ successful 2024 State of Origin series – if he strikes against the Eels.
It was reported that Parramatta would pay around $700,000 for his services, but club legend Nathan Hindmarsh is adamantly against the idea.
“You look at Parramatta at the moment. Will they be contenders for the premiership next year along with Jarome Luai?” Hindmarsh said this on Triple M at the weekend.
“They are slowly improving at the moment – they have some great young talent.
“I don’t think the Heat will make a difference… (Luai and Mitchell Moses) are a great midfield combination. I’m just saying you’re not going to spend $700,000 on a midfielder who’s going to be there for one year. A gap year.
“I wouldn’t spend $700,000 or more on a half that lasts a year unless you’re going to be in the grand final or so. I think the money could be spent elsewhere on the long term (options).”
The Perth Bears, who will enter the NRL next season, have also been floated as a one-year option for Luay before he joins the Chiefs, and Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh told News Corp this week he would welcome Luay into the 15-man squad on a one-year deal.