The NRL was rocked by a breaking report today that the Wests Tigers had given Jarome Luai permission to sign with other clubs for the 2027 season following his decision to link with the PNG Chiefs from 2028. That situation has swiftly evolved into the Parramatta Eels leading the chase for his short term services as they look to simultaneously install a star next to Mitchell Moses and keep the pipeline open for a number of highly touted halves prospects.
Sixties and Forty20 convene for an emergency podcast as the wheels whir into motion for the Eels. Of all the potential players – could Luai be the signing to ignite some recruitment momentum for the Blue & Gold?
Just tuned in now Craig and John. This is something left field but we will see about if the Luai news is 💯 or not. Could be v good if this occurs.
For me we need a couple of decent signings ie. forwards to cover the losses and centre as mentioned before.
What are the plans for Volkman? Rumours he’s possibly off too? And is Fletcher the new back up from 28 then?
Seen a lot of push back for this already on social media, but I think this would be brilliant if recruitment can pull it off. A lot of people seem to be comparing it to the Pezet situation, but it’s just not the same thing for me. I understood the pushback on Pezet because 1, he wasn’t a proven star and 2, we were offering experience to an inexperienced player which was therefore beneficial for another club (Broncos). However, Luai is a star that undoubtedly improves our side
If nothing else changes, we have Pezet and potentially Volkman leaving next year. That leaves our halves and backups looking very inexperienced next to Moses. Luai buys us time to either sign a long term 6 or continue the development from within.
If Luai is available you absolutely take him even if just for a year his a three time premiership player. It’s Not even close to the same mould as the pezet signing.
We need to do anything to start winning football games. It helps us in future recruitment and brings some hope in players that Parra do have some upside. Right now we are clearly not desired only winning can change this
Won 4 premierships , state of origin winner took Samoa to the World Cup final, only a moron would think this was a bad signing, yes 1 year and yea he’s a bit of a knob but he’s a quality player
I’d be disappointed to see Volkman go. He continues to improve with each game, and it would be naive to think that as he gets older Moses will spend less time off the field with injury.
Luai is a no-brainer.
Luai to the eels as a lock or 14 taking walkers place.
We have Volkman, fletcher and Lorenzo who we can give first crack at 6 and Luai can help mentor them and if they need more time to develop he can slot into 6
Then in 28 Ryda or Koina will hopefully be ready to be an nrl lock.
If the signing of Luai materialises it would be a boost for 2027. As John pointed out if not Luai then who. It is clear that the juniors coming through are not quite ready but by 2027 they should be starting to get some time in the NRL.
What is important here is that the Wests Tigers are in this position because they allowed Player Options in their recruitment contracts . This is something that we must never return to. It cost us Dylan and Blaize.
I’ll listen to the boys on the way to work tomorrow.
I’m stunned by the above comments all being pro signing Luai! It shocks me!
a) Most were against signing Pezet for a year (to be fair I wasn’t), but it hasn’t worked out. Now we want Luai for a year?
b) All he has done is cause drama at the Tigers. He failed as a leader. He has woefully underperformed and he has failed on a team without stars.
c) newsflash – we will be a team with next to no stars in 2027.
d) with or without Luai Parra are not winning the comp in 2027. So why sign him?
e) AGAIN. This would be the Eels signing a player that no one else is after. Enough already with the knee jerk reaction signings. It shows no strategy, no vision. It reeks of desperation and a complete lack of any sort of plan.
They can not sign Luai. They shouldn’t even be talking to Luai. The entire football department should be sacked if they even entertain the idea.