Jarome Luai brings winning pedigree as Eels turn to Toa Sāmoa star to revive title push

Jarome Luai could be the missing piece Parramatta have been searching for.

The Toa Sāmoa international will join the Eels for the 2027 NRL season on a one-year deal before he heads to Papua New Guinea to join the new franchise, PNG Chiefs in 2028.

The 29-year-old will bring experience, leadership and a proven winning record as Parramatta looks to rebuild their title hopes.

Luai’s arrival gives the Eels an experienced replacement after the blue and gold club struggled to fill the void left by five-eighth Dylan Brown, who departed at the end of 2025 for a record-breaking deal with the Newcastle Knights.

Parramatta have spent the past 18 months searching for the right partner alongside star halfback Mitchell Moses, with several young playmakers given opportunities to step into the role.

Mark O’Neill, Eels General Manager of Football, believes Luai’s experience can make an immediate impact, both on and off the field.

Jarome Luai. Photo/Dan Himbrechts/Photosport

“Jarome is one of the most experienced and successful players of his generation, and we're thrilled to welcome him to the Parramatta Eels next year,” O'Neill said in a club statement.

“Beyond what he offers on the field, we believe Jarome will have a tremendous impact on our younger players coming through the system. His experience in high-performance environments and his professional approach to preparation and training will help mentor and develop the next generation of Eels.”

Luai arrives with four NRL premierships, State of Origin success and more than 160 first-grade appearances.

The move will also reunite Luai with Moses after the pair helped New South Wales secure a memorable State of Origin series win in 2024.

Luai will add to a growing Pacific presence at Parramatta, with the Toa Sāmoa playmaker potentially lining up alongside international teammate Junior Paulo, who is off contract at the end of the season.

Former NRL and Kangaroos representative, Matty Johns, says bringing in a player of Luai’s calibre “can’t be anymore than a good thing”.

“If you bring Jarome in… he brings experience, some expertise,” Johns told The Run Home Podcast. The NRL commentator also expressed how much strength it adds to the Eels spine.

“Even for just one season, you got Jarome, you got Mitch Moses, you got Iongi [Isaiah] at the back… you can see the team would start to form.”

For the Eels, Luai's short-term signing provides stability while allowing emerging halves, including Lorenzo Talataina and Lincoln Fletcher, more time to develop.

Jarome Luai and Penrith Panthers winger Brian To’o celebrate during the 2024 State of Origin series. Photo/Dave Hunt/Photosport

But first, Luai will focus on finishing the current season strongly with the Wests Tigers, who have slipped down the ladder after an injury-hit campaign.

The Tigers are currently sitting at 13th place on the NRL ladder. They face the Bulldogs on Saturday, 18 July, with kick-off scheduled for 9.35pm (NZT).

*ladder updated as of 15 July 2026.