Tigers coach Benji Marshall will join Luai at a Wednesday press conference, with Luai having triggered a 2027 option to stay with the Tigers before departing for 2028.

West Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai will sign a three-year deal to join the PNG Chiefs, an NRL expansion team, starting in 2028.

Luai has spent 18 months with the Tigers, and teammate Marshall praised his decision as prioritizing family and respect for the club’s path.

Luai revealed his move to teammates in training after a weekend visit to Papua New Guinea.

The move comes after Luai’s status as a four-time NRL premiership winner with Penrith, underscoring the Chiefs’ strong roster-building ambitions.

The signing is portrayed as a major coup for the PNG Chiefs, adding a marquee player to lead the squad.