Jarome Luai Signs Record $6M Deal With PNG Chiefs Through 2028

Jarome Luai Signs Record $6M Deal With PNG Chiefs Through 2028...

Australian rugby league star Jarome Luai has inked a groundbreaking four-year contract with Papua New Guinea's newest NRL franchise, the PNG Chiefs, worth an estimated $6 million AUD. The deal, announced Monday morning (April 28, 2026), will keep the Penrith Panthers playmaker with the expansion team through the 2028 season.

The signing marks the first major player acquisition for the Port Moresby-based franchise, which will join the NRL in 2027. Luai's decision is making headlines in the US due to growing American interest in Pacific Islander athletes and the NRL's push for international expansion.

Social media erupted with reactions from fans worldwide after Luai posted "Chiefs till I die" alongside a photo of him signing the contract. The 29-year-old Samoan international cited family connections to PNG and the chance to "build something historic" as key factors in his decision.

NRL Commissioner Andrew Abdo called the signing "a watershed moment for rugby league in the Pacific." The deal includes provisions for Luai to serve as a youth ambassador for rugby development across Papua New Guinea.

Sports analysts note the contract's significance comes amid the NRL's aggressive international growth strategy, with the league targeting US viewership through its ESPN partnership. Luai's flashy playing style and social media presence have made him particularly marketable to American audiences.

The Panthers confirmed they were unable to match the Chiefs' offer due to salary cap constraints. Luai will play out the 2026 season with Penrith before joining PNG for their inaugural training camp next January.