PNG Prime Minister welcomes Luai's interest in Chiefs

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape believes Jarome Luai's weekend visit is proof that the Chiefs will be able to attract big-name recruits for their entry to the NRL in 2028.

The Wests Tigers star sat with Prime Minister Marape, a driving force behind the establishment of the Chiefs, as they watched a local match in Port Moresby on Sunday.  

Luai is the first of many potential signings the Chiefs are pursuing to take time out of his busy NRL training schedule to travel with his beloved wife Bailey Paris Toleafoa and one of their sons to see first-hand the facilities and opportunities in PNG.

The Samoan international visited the Airways Hotel, where Chiefs players and their families will live, as well as the Loloata Island Resort facility, which is also owned by the Constantinou Group.

After brief discussions with PNG Chiefs GM of football Michael Chammas and CEO Lorna McPherson, Luai and his family were escorted to Sir John Guise Stadium and had a bird’s eye view of the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup round three match between Hela Wigmen and Enga Mioks.

Sitting next to Luai was Prime Minister Marape, who said in an official press statement that the star playmaker's visit sent a message about the ambition of the Chiefs.

“To have a player of Jarome Luai’s calibre visit our country, experience our culture, meet our people, and see what Papua New Guinea has to offer is heartwarming for our nation," the Prime Minister said.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Papua New Guinea, I welcome him and his family to our country.

"To be the first high-profile player to come and show interest in our team is something we deeply appreciate.

"It sends a message that Papua New Guinea is ready, rugby league is strong here, and our future in the NRL is bright."

Luai is currently in his second season with Wests Tigers after signing a five-year contract in 2024 to move from Penrith Panthers, where he won four premierships and played 107 NRL games.

The deal has a series of annual renewal clauses and after witnessing the passionate support of fans at the Wigmen-Mioks clash, Luai was left in no doubt that he would be a huge star in Papua New Guinea.

Quietly making his entry into the stadium while the vocal crowd was cheering on the local teams, Luai had the opportunity to meet with his former Panthers Under 20s teammate, former PNG Kumul Wellington Albert.

But once the fans saw him chants of "Luai, Luai" echoed throughout the stadium and he calmly waved back to them.

Prior to his departure on a private jet to Sydney on Monday, Luai visited The Royal Port Moresby Golf Club opposite the National Parliament House in Waigani.

He also visited the Australian High Commission.

Fans in PNG will get another opportunity to meet Luai when he returns back to Port Moresby with Toa Samoa for the October 24 Rugby League World Cup match against PNG Kumuls at Santos National Football Stadium.