Gould’s swipe at PNG amid ‘head-scratching’ Luai circus

Phil Gould has taken a swipe at the PNG Chiefs for their handling of the Jarome Luai signing, questioning how the expansion team has conducted business.

Luai will join the club for their inaugural 2028 season, after walking out on the Wests Tigers early and linking up with Parramatta for a stop-gap next year.

While there was criticism of Luai when the contract was signed, given he had previously stated he would be at the Tigers “for life” during last year’s Lachlan Galvin saga, things have reached a new level in the past week.

The 29-year-old was unveiled as the new face of Pepsi in the country last week, signing a lucrative third-party agreement with the brand.

Luai was then trotted out at a golf event in Port Moresby, just a day after limping off the field for the Tigers in their round 26 clash with the Cowboys.

He was spotted taking photos with PNG Prime Minister James Marape, showing the growing relationship between Luai and the country ahead of his move.

It has left the sour taste in the mouths of many Tigers fans, while league great Corey Parker said the situation “stinks” and took aim at Luai on Tuesday.

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Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus, the former Panthers boss – who first spotted Luai as an exciting teenage prospect – was quizzed about the Samoan international’s legacy over his two-year stint at Concord.

Gould admitted there had been some “head-scratching moments” over the past few months since Luai announced his decision.

“Gee whiz, you’d have to ask them [the Tigers],” he said.

“It’s portrayed one way in the media, sometimes that’s not the total truth, but there’s some head-scratching moments in all of that.

“He chose the Tigers, at the time they’d won three spoons in a row and it was a chance for them to get a marquee player to help turn the club around.

“The contract situation, exit clauses, negotiations with PNG ... I said this weeks ago, before all this nonsense started, the PNG thing has changed everyone.

“From the outside looking in, I hope he’s OK, but there are some disappointing moments and the Tigers will be disappointed.”

Gould then made his feelings about the Chiefs known, questioning how they have handled the Luai signing and said it was something the existing clubs are “going to have to deal with” over the next 12 or 18 months.

“That’s not how you conduct your business, that’s not how we do it in the game,” Gould, the current Bulldogs general manager, said.

“If you sign a player from another club mid-season, out of respect you don’t talk about it until he actually arrives at the club. That’s the way we’ve always done, that’s the way I’ve always tried to do it and most clubs feel that way.

“PNG are in the competition and this is the way they’re conducting their business and this is what we’re gonna have to deal with.”

The saga surrounding Luai comes as uncertainty surrounds his role at the Eels.

Nine’s Danny Weidler first revealed on Wednesday that Parramatta’s current five-eighth, Ronald Volkman, has agreed to a two-year contract extension.

Volkman has been in strong form for the Eels this season and has formed a nice combination with halfback and captain Mitchell Moses.

The 24-year-old’s new deal could raise question marks about who will wear the No.6 jersey next season, with Luai no guarantee to earn the spot.

“The positive environment which Jason Ryles has created at the club has provided some stability for Ronald where he is playing his best football of his career,” Eels general manager Mark O’Neill said in a statement.

“He has earned this opportunity with some wonderful individual and team performances, and he will only continue to improve.”

Parramatta will play the last-placed Dragons in their final game on Sunday.

Luai is expected to suit up for the Tigers in their round 27 clash with Penrith, overcoming the leg injury that saw him leave the field early last weekend.