Jarome Luai is heading home before embarking on one of rugby league’s most historic chapters.
The Toa Samoa star has officially signed a one-year deal with the Parramatta Eels beginning in 2027, a move that bridges the gap between his time at the Wests Tigers and his expected long-term move to the NRL’s incoming Papua New Guinea franchise in 2028.
Luai’s signing gives Parramatta an elite playmaker and four-time NRL premiership winner while allowing the Samoan international to remain in Sydney before joining the league’s newest expansion club.
The move also marks a homecoming for Luai.
Raised in western Sydney, the 29-year-old has often spoken about his connection to Parramatta, making the opportunity to wear the blue and gold a full-circle moment in his career.
The Eels are expected to pair Luai with star halfback Mitchell Moses, creating one of the NRL’s most exciting halves combinations heading into the 2027 season.
For Luai, however, the immediate focus remains on finishing the 2026 campaign with the Wests Tigers before turning his attention to the Rugby League World Cup, where he is expected to once again lead Toa Samoa.
A key figure in Samoa’s rise on the international stage, Luai helped guide the nation to its historic first Rugby League World Cup final in 2022 and is expected to be one of the leaders of another talented Samoan squad this year.
His decision to join Parramatta for one season also aligns with the timeline of the NRL’s expansion into Papua New Guinea, with the competition’s 18th franchise set to enter the league in 2028. Luai has previously committed to joining the new club, making him one of its marquee foundation signings and one of the biggest names attached to the historic project.
Since making his NRL debut in 2018, Luai has built one of the most decorated resumes in rugby league. The dynamic five-eighth won four consecutive NRL premierships with the Penrith Panthers, became a regular for the New South Wales Blues, and has established himself as one of the faces of Toa Samoa.
Now, his career enters another new chapter.
First comes a return home to Parramatta. Then, in 2028, Luai is expected to help launch a new era for rugby league as one of the foundation stars of Papua New Guinea’s inaugural NRL team, while continuing to represent Samoa on the international stage.
