Rumours of Luai-Marshall rift intensify after social media activity

By Liam Wright — 13 July 2026 — 4 min read

Speculation Mounts Over Player-Coach Relationship

Speculation regarding the relationship between Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall and player Jarome Luai has intensified following recent social media activity. NRL legend Billy Slater suggested that “something has changed” within the club, while Nine’s Danny Weidler indicated that Benji and Jarome may not be as close as they once were. This sentiment was seemingly supported when Luai’s father, Martin Luai, liked and commented an “OK” symbol on a social media post featuring Weidler’s quote.

The Tigers confirmed on Saturday that Luai will depart the club at the end of the current season, despite holding a contract for 2027 valued at $1.2 million. This announcement comes just two months after Luai declared he would forgo his 2028 deal with the team to join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs for their inaugural season. The club’s stance on Luai’s future appears to have shifted, prompting questions about the dynamics behind the scenes.

Impact of Contract Decisions on Team Performance

At the time of Luai’s initial announcement to join the Chiefs, the Tigers were positioned third on the NRL ladder. Since then, the team’s performance has declined significantly, with only two wins in ten weeks, causing them to drop to 13th place. NRL great Brad Fittler believes that the decision to release Luai at the end of this season became unavoidable as the team’s form faltered.

Fittler noted that while Luai possesses charisma and the ability to unite people, signing with another club can diminish the impact of his “team first” message. Some players are reportedly beginning to question this mentality. Reports also suggest that a recent social media post by Luai angered club officials and players, who perceived it as a veiled criticism of Marshall and the coaching staff regarding team selections.

The Tigers were in third place when Luai signed with the Chiefs after Anzac Day. Since then, they have a record of 2-9 and are currently in 13th position. The team has also faced periods without key players such as Adam Doueihi, Api Koroisau, Taylan May, Alex Twal, and Samuela Fainu.

Future Plans and Potential Destinations

Luai has not yet confirmed where he will play in 2027. The Eels have been mentioned as a potential destination, with reports suggesting they might offer $700,000 for a single season of his services, with the Tigers covering the remaining portion of his $1.2 million salary next year. However, Parramatta legend Nathan Hindmarsh expressed reservations about this idea, questioning the value of spending a significant amount on a halfback for just one year if the team is not a grand final contender.

The Perth Bears, set to join the NRL next season, have also been floated as a one-year option for Luai before he joins the Chiefs. The Tigers are reportedly prepared to contribute up to $500,000 towards Luai’s $1.2 million deal next season, regardless of where he plays. Marshall is expected to address Luai’s planned exit publicly before any player this week.

The situation highlights the complexities of player contracts and their potential impact on team dynamics and performance. Luai is expected to speak about his future soon, following the Tigers’ recent loss to the Warriors.

Luai and Galvin Contract Sagas

Jarome Luai and former halves partner Lachlan Galvin are set to face each other on Saturday night, a matchup underscored by their respective dramatic contract sagas. Galvin’s departure to join the Bulldogs in May 2025 created repercussions for both clubs. Luai’s previous “team first” Instagram post, which criticised Galvin for wanting to leave, has resurfaced now that Luai himself is moving on.

The Tigers initially proposed an early release for Luai, who is their captain, star half, and highest-paid player. While the club cites salary cap management, extensions for the Fainu brothers, and long-term rostering as reasons for Luai’s exit, there has been some internal concern regarding Luai’s promotion of the Chiefs and his PNG-related third-party agreements for next year. However, club official Shaun Mielekamp has emphatically denied these concerns.

Mielekamp stated on Saturday that he has no indication there will be any change to how Benji Marshall has been playing Jarome Luai. The upcoming match will mark another chapter in the intertwined contract narratives of Luai and Galvin.

Source: nine.com.au