The PNG Chiefs have caused a monumental shift in the NRL world.

Jarome Luai has agreed to sign for the club in 2028, marking a major coup for the franchise which was founded in 2024.

The signature of the four-time Premiership winner gives the expansion team a cornerstone player that they can build around. 

Luai has reportedly received an offer too good to refuse following a covert meeting in Port Moresby on Sunday.

Despite the decision to join the Chiefs, the 29-year-old will sign his player option with the Tigers keeping him at the club until next season.

As part of the move to Papua New Guinea, Luai will receive a fully tax-free salary, an ace up the sleeve of the soon-to-join franchise when trying to attract players.

Jarome Luai reportedly told his teammates he would be joining the PNG Chiefs at the start of the 2028 season

Luai is expected to take home an extra $500,000 a year thanks to the tax-free salary he will receive

The four-time Premiership winner will stay with the Wests Tigers through the 2026-27 season.

The halfback informed his teammates of his decision on Tuesday and will face the media on Wednesday where he is expected to explain his decision.

Luai met with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea before receiving the offer to join the club, and it was one that left the PNG Prime Minister gushing.

‘To be the first high-profile player to come and show interest in our team is something we really appreciate,’ he said.

‘It sends a message that Papua New Guinea is ready, rugby league is strong here, and our future in the NRL is bright.’

Luai had played a key role in the Tigers revival over the last two years under coach Benji Marshall.

He has been credited from many corners as one of the key reasons a number of top -class players joined Wests to aid their rejuvenation.

And that seems to be the same sort of role he will be expected to play at PNG where he will have the chance to be the face of the franchise.

That status may have been enough for any player to join the upcoming franchise, but the financial considerations are also considered to be key.

If he stays on his current salary of $1,200,000, he will take home an extra $500,000 a season while playing for the Chiefs due to the tax-free salary.

Players have also had their safety fears allayed by the club ahead of the 2028 season.

A ‘player village’ that will house the players has begun construction and is expected to be completed by 2027.

The five-star compound will feature a gym, medical clinic, cafes, a bar, a barber and recreational area, providing players and their families with everything they need in one, secure space.

Luai’s reported move to the Chiefs has received significant backlash on social media with some fans claiming the move was simply for money.

One fan mockingly wrote, ‘I’m here for life bra. I’ll take the clauses in a team player bra’ with a series of laughing emojis.

Another added, ‘team first unless the money is right.’

The backlash continued, ‘So much for being here for the long run lol.’

One fan even claimed, ‘Luai should step down as captain.’

Speaking about the potential of a move , Josh Reynolds posed the question, ‘Is Jarome Luai doing anything wrong?

‘Absolutely not! There is no loyalty anywhere anymore,’ he answered his own question.

‘It sets a tone, I’ll tell you one thing Jarome Luai has done for the West Tigers, he has brought culture.

‘He has brought a winning culture from where they were a couple of years ago, to where they were last year, to where they are now.

‘And even when he hasn’t even been on the field, what people have to understand is these type of guys, they just bring so much to the team off the field as well.

 ‘Look I’m just going to say as well, it doesn’t surprise me. Is Jarome doing anything wrong? Absolutely not. 

‘The one thing I will say is, the look of it as the captain of the Wests Tigers is an interesting one. If you are my captain I am following you anywhere. I don’t mean to PNG, but I am following you on the field and that dynamic is now hard.’

Capturing the signing of the Wests Tigers’ captain wasn’t the only major move PNG made today.

They also signed South Sydney winger Alex Johnston who is contracted by the Rabbitohs until the end of next season.

A clause in his current deal allowed him to negotiate with the Chiefs at any time of his choosing.

And now the NRL’s highest try-scorer has agreed a one-year deal with the incoming franchise.