Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Benji Marshall has strongly denied reports of a fractured relationship with Jarome Luai after the Wests Tigers confirmed on Saturday that their star five-eighth will leave at the end of the 2026 NRL season. The coach addressed the claims on Tuesday as the club prepared for its Round 20 match against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Jarome Luai was originally due to remain with the Wests Tigers in 2027 before joining the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028. The Wests Tigers have now released Jarome Luai one year early, with the Parramatta Eels considered his most likely destination.
Attention will soon return to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs clash after a Stephen Crichton injury update brought relief following frightening scenes.
Benji Marshall denies relationship breakdown
“A lot of things have been sort of made up and insinuated and guessed in terms of our relationship,” Benji Marshall said.
Benji Marshall revealed that discussions with Jarome Luai had continued openly for four or five weeks. The Wests Tigers ultimately decided that granting an early release was the best move for their long-term roster plans.
“So what I will say though is that the fact that people can make up rumours that we’re having a relationship breakdown or a rift between our friendship is absolutely bulls**t,” Benji Marshall said.
Jarome Luai praised for Tigers contribution
Benji Marshall said Jarome Luai accepted the decision and wanted his departure to benefit other players at the club. The coach also praised the four-time premiership winner for improving training standards, professionalism and the dressing-room culture.
“We can never repay him for what he’s done for this club and what people probably don’t see is what he does in the locker room,” Benji Marshall said.
Jarome Luai joined the Wests Tigers before the 2025 season after winning four consecutive NRL premierships with the Penrith Panthers. His exit will leave the club needing to settle its future halves combination while continuing its finals push.
The release is confirmed in the official NRL signings tracker.
