As Jarome Luai prepares to take on his future club this weekend, Parramatta’s greatest five-eighth has raised several concerns over his short-term deal at the Eels.
Earlier this month, the Tigers five-eighth confirmed he would link up with the Eels on a one-year deal to partner Mitchell Moses in 2027.
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The Eels will pay $700,000 of Luai’s $1.2 million contract next year, while the Tigers will chip in $500,000.
At the time, Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill praised Luai and said he was signed to bring professionalism and consistency to the struggling club.
Four-time Parramatta premiership-winner Brett Kenny, however, told foxsports.com.au that he wouldn’t have singed Luai for several reasons.
Kenny said he would have preferred the club gave the up-and-coming juniors a go first.
Not only to gain valuable experience, but to ensure they felt part of the club’s long-term plans.
Ryles fires back at Luai signing critics | 02:08
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Kenny is worried the best young talent at Parramatta might look to other clubs if the Eels keep signing players like Luai and Jonah Pezet to short-term deals.
“They might not be ready yet but you also might end up losing them if you’re not careful,” Kenny said.
“When Luai goes they might try and buy another five-eighth and in the meantime one of those younger blokes might get offered a contract from another club and go because they’re not getting a chance at Parramatta.
“Look at the young bloke who is playing halfback for the Raiders (Ethan Sanders). I remember watching him play for Parramatta.
“He struggled at times but went well and the next thing you know, he’s gone to Canberra, so they need to be careful.”
Luai was told by the Tigers he could entertain offers from rivals for 2027 just months after he informed the club he was moving to the PNG Chiefs from 2028.
His long-term footy future is with the Chiefs, not the Eels, and that’s raised concerns about how committed Luai will be for the Parramatta cause, given he’s only there for a year.
Kenny is worried the Eels won’t see the best of the four-time premiership winner because he may have one eye on the Chiefs while wearing a Parramatta jersey.
“You’ve got to look at what Luai’s mindset might be,” Kenny said.
“The following year he’s going to play for the Chiefs and he’s going to earn huge money.
“Is he really going to work hard and try and get the team to the semis? There’s no guarantee there.
“Is he just going to go through the motions and get through the season before he goes off and cops his big dollars?”
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Another worry Kenny has is how the club’s treating its best player – captain and halfback Mitchell Moses.
Kenny formed one of the all-time great halves partnerships with Peter Sterling to win four premierships together.
He doesn’t like the fact Moses will have another halves partner next season and another the year after when Luai is gone.
Moses will turn 33 shortly before Luai leaves the club and Kenny fears having so many halves partners will affect the Eels captain while he’s in the prime of his career.
“The person I worry about is Mitchell Moses. You just wonder how it’s going to affect him,” Kenny said.
“How many five-eighths has he had in the past couple of years?
“The fact we (Kenny and Sterling) played together for so long was a big reason why we had that success.”
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Despite Kenny’s concerns about the Luai deal, his fellow premiership-winning teammate Peter Wynn told foxsports.com.au he was happy to see the State of Origin half play at the club, even if it was only for a season.
Wynn said on the few occasions he’s mingled with Luai at NSW State of Origin functions, he’s noticed his energy and labelled him the “cult figure” the Eels desperately needed.
“The club has to do whatever it can to become a winning side and I just think he’ll give us the opportunity to be successful next year,” Wynn said.
“That combination (with Mitchell Moses) should be a big bonus for the Parramatta Eels. We’ve got a great halfback and great five-eighth combining.”
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Wynn said the fact Luai comes from such a strong winning culture at Penrith will have a positive effect on the Eels in 2027.
“All you want to do is win the premiership and I hope he can bring enough to the club for Parramatta to be a genuine threat next year,” Wynn said.
“He played in five grand finals so he knows what it takes. He’s got his four premiership rings on his fingers so he knows what it’s all about.”
Coach Jason Ryles has denied the Luai signing was a ‘sugar hit’ for the club.
Ryles is nearing the halfway mark of his Parramatta deal and another failed season in 2027 will no doubt raise questions about his future.
“You can only use the word ‘rebuilding’ for so long,” Kenny said.
The Wests Tigers host the Eels at CommBank Stadium on Sunday.