And just like that the Parramatta Eels and Jarome Luai have confirmed that their unlikely partnership for 2027 is very much real and official after the club put out a press release on Tuesday afternoon announcing that the premiership and Origin winning half was joining the Blue & Gold next year. Luai, a polarising figure in the code, has understandably split fans on whether it is the right move for the Eels but regardless of where you stand there it is ultimately the first major move Parramatta have made for next season since signing Jaydn Su’A. Sixties and Forty20 reflect on the news and the significance of the signing and ruminate on who could be next as the media link the Eels to Jack Howarth.
As always, the boys go around the NRL to scope out the latest happenings. The NRL is prepared to make an allowance for Mark Nawaqanitawase to play in the World Cup while Josh Hannay has unloaded on officials after his team went down to the Melbourne Storm in Round 19. All that and more in another live edition of The Tip Sheet.
Luai is a good get for a season as let’s be honest – If Moses is hurt again we have an elite leader there
Easts got DCE for a year and age is v different.
Parra need to also look at halves again on 12 months time.
Luai’s a good get for me.
While the Luai signing is understandable given price and quality, this signing reiterates how badly the roster has been mismanaged.
We still haven’t replaced Dylan Brown.
Right now Brown, Talagi or Sanders should be our five eight. Instead it will be 2028 at the earliest until we have a long term 6. That’s 2 seasons of Moses prime wasted without a long term halves partner. Mark O’Neill was quick to put his name to the Luai announcement, he should be equally accountable for the mismanagement that got us here in the first place.