‘It stinks’: Luai twist after blindsiding Tigers with PNG trip

NRL great Corey Parker has whacked Jarome Luai’s trip to PNG last weekend, as the outgoing Wests Tigers captain prepares for a farewell game.

Luai limped off during the side’s round 26 loss against the Cowboys with a leg injury, but has been cleared to play in the final round of the season. On Tuesday afternoon he was named in the Tigers side to play against his former club Penrith, wearing the No.6 jersey (scroll below for all the NRL round 27 team lists).

After his side’s loss to the Cowboys on Saturday, Luai and the rest of the Tigers players were given time off, with the five-eighth asking if he could stay back in Townsville.

One day later, photos surfaced online of Luai at a golf event in Port Moresby, rubbing shoulders with PNG Prime Minister James Marape. The Sydney Morning Herald reports that some Tigers officials learned of the trip via social media.

It comes after Luai was unveiled as the official face of Pepsi in the country ahead of his big-money, long-term move to the Chiefs in 2028.

“This is a team that he’s going to be representing in two years’ time,” Broncos great Parker said on SENQ Breakfast on Tuesday.

“He’s at the Eels next year, he’s still a contracted Tigers player. He was brought to the Tigers to be the saviour, to turn the culture around and lead. He was all on board saying ‘I’m in here for the long haul’ and then he got out of it.

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“I think it stinks. To be fair, he’s not breaking any rules – but I don’t like it.”

In other team news, the Roosters have taken an incredibly cautious approach after the injury to halfback Sam Walker ruled him out for the season.

South Sydney will again trot out Latrell Mitchell in a bid to gain more match fitness, while the struggling Sharks have rested some high-profile players.

For clubs in the bottom-half of the ladder, the Raiders will debut a highly-touted playmaker, while Broncos fans will get a look at a young gun.

St George Illawarra will farewell a host of Super League-bound stars as they look to end a disappointing 2026 campaign on a positive note.

Nine.com.au has all the team news for round 27 below.

Thursday

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Brisbane Broncos, Accor Stadium (7.50pm)

Bulldogs team: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Matt Burton 4. Bronson Xerri 5. Enari Tuala 6. Stephen Crichton 7. Lachlan Galvin 8. Max King 9. Bailey Hayward 10. Leo Thompson 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Jaeman Salmon 14. Jake Turpin 15. Alekolasimi Jones 16. Harry Hayes 17. Josh Curran 19. Jed Reardon 20. Jack Underhill 21. Logan Spinks 22. Sean O’Sullivan 23. Kurt Mann

Bulldogs team news: Kurt Mann (groin) could be a late inclusion after being named among the reserves. No other changes at this stage.

Broncos team: 1. Hayze Perham 2. Josiah Karapani 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Grant Anderson 6. Ezra Mam 7. Ben Hunt 8. Xavier Willison 9. Billy Walters 10. Payne Haas 11. Jaiyden Hunt 12. Jordan Riki 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Thomas Duffy 15. Va’a Semu 16. Jack Gosiewski 17. Aublix Tawha 18. Gehamat Shibasaki 19. Ben Talty 20. Cameron Bukowski 21. Jesse Arthars 22. Preston Riki

Broncos team news: Blake Mozer (concussion) is sidelined, but surprisingly young hooker Cameron Bukowski is named in the No.20 jersey for now. Preston Riki (ankle) has been named among the reserves and could return.

Friday

Gold Coast Titans vs Dolphins, Cbus Super Stadium (6pm)

Titans team: 1. Keano Kini 2. Sialetili Faeamani 3. Jaylan De Groot 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Kurtis Morrin 12. Beau Fermor 13. Chris Randall 14. Klese Haas 15. Cooper Bai 16. Bodhi Sharpley 17. Sam Verrills 18. Josh Patston 19. Sunny Kama 20. Tony Francis 21. Jett Liu 22. Adam Christensen

Titans team news: Beau Fermor (ribs) returns from injury, while hooker Oliver Pascoe (shoulder) is replaced by Luke Sommerton. Sunny Kama is set to debut.

Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Francis Molo 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Brian Pouniu 19. Brad Schneider 20. Jake Averillo 21. Connelly Lemuelu 22. Sebastian Su’a

Dolphins team news: Selwyn Cobbo (ankle) is out this week, with Tevita Naufahu slotting in on the wing. Connelly Lemuelu (hamstring) is part of the wider squad but could be kept on ice for a further week before the finals.

South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Sydney Roosters, Allianz Stadium (8pm)

Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 23. Jai Arrow 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Adam Elliott 13. Cameron Murray 6. Cody Walker 14. Matthew Dufty 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Euan Aitken 19. Latrell Siegwalt 20. Liam Le Blanc 21. Talanoa Penitani 22. Peter Mamouzelos

Rabbitohs team news: Huge changes to Wayne Bennett’s side, with Latrell Mitchell named at centre and Tallis Duncan rested. Matt Dufty has been dropped to the bench in favour of Jye Gray. Adam Elliott starts in the back-row with Euan Aitken shifting to the bench. Jai Arrow will run out for his 100th game.

Roosters team: 1. Cody Ramsey 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Tommy Talau 5. Rex Bassingthwaighte 6. Reece Foley 7. Toby Rodwell 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Egan Butcher 13. Connor Watson 14. Tom Rodwell 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Delasalle Vaa 17. Aston Warwick 18. Jake Elliott 19. Hayden Barton 20. Lui Lee 21. Max McCathie 22. Nat Butcher

Roosters team news: Trent Robinson has rested a host of stars for the final round, while Sam Walker (ankle) is sidelined after undergoing surgery. Reece Foley and Toby Rodwell form a new-look halves combination with Hugo Savala among the players given a week off. Daniel Tupou (shoulder) returns on the wing.

Saturday

New Zealand Warriors vs Manly Sea Eagles,Go Media Stadium (3pm)

Warriors team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Adam Pompey 3. Ali Leiataua 4. Leka Halasima 5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Te Maire Martin 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Samuel Healey 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava 12. Jacob Laban 13. Erin Clark 14. Makaia Tafua 15. Tanner Stowers-Smith 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Morgan Gannon 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Kayliss Fatialofa 21. Jett Cleary 22. Jye Linnane 23. Haizyn Mellars

Warriors team news: New-look spine this week with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (suspension) returning at fullback, while Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin are back in the halves and Sam Healey starts at hooker, giving Wayde Egan a rest before the finals. Adam Pompey replaces Luke Laulilii (concussion) on the wing.

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Clayton Faulalo 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 10. Nathan Brown 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nicholas Lenaz 16. Corey Waddell 17. Caleb Navale 18. Onitoni Large 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Blake Wilson 21. Hugo Hart 22. Jackson Shereb

Sea Eagles team news: No changes to the side that defeated the Dragons.

North Queensland Cowboys vs Canberra Raiders, QCB Stadium (5.30pm)

Cowboys team: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Tomas Chester 5. Robert Derby 6. Jake Clifford 7. Tom Dearden 8. Coen Hess 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Jason Taumalolo 11. Heilum Luki 12. John Bateman 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Soni Luke 15. Sam McIntyre 16. Thomas Mikaele 17. Kaiden Lahrs 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Ethan King 20. Mason Kira 21. Ronald Philitoga 22. Liam Sutton

Cowboys team news: Robert Derby replaces Zac Laybutt (concussion) on the wing, while John Bateman and Coen Hess earn starting spots with forwards Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame rested before the finals.

Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Simi Sasagi 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Coby Black 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Owen Pattie 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Noah Martin 12. Matt Nicholson 13. Ata Mariota 14. Malachi Smith 15. Joseph Roddy 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Vena Patuki-Case 18. Tom Starling 19. Daine Laurie 20. Ethan Sanders 21. Mark Tuialii 22. Jesse Milin

Raiders team news: Coby Black debuts at halfback, with Ethan Sanders dropping out of the side. Noah Martin (quad) returns to replace Zac Hosking (hamstring), while dummy-half Malachi Smith is set to debut off the bench.

Cronulla Sharks vs Melbourne Storm, Shark Park (7.35pm)

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Sione Katoa 3. Riley Jones 4. Michael Gabrael 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Riley Pollard 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Hohepa Puru 10. Jesse Colquhoun 11. Briton Nikora 12. Billy Burns 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Siosifa Talakai 15. Toby Rudolf 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele 18. Jayden Berrell 19. Tuku Hau Tapuha 20. Liam Ison 21. Samuel Stonestreet 22. KL Iro

Sharks team news: Nicho Hynes, KL Iro, Blayke Brailey and Teig Wilton have all been rested before the finals. Riley Jones will debut in the centres alongside Michael Gabreal, while Riley Pollard debuts at five-eighth. Tom Hazelton (suspension) will miss the final round after a hip-drop tackle.

Storm team: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown 3. Tyran Wishart 4. Nick Meaney 5. Moses Leo 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Harry Grant 10. Josh King 11. Shawn Blore 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Trent Loiero 14. Trent Toelau 15. Cooper Clarke 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Angus Hinchey 19. Hugo Peel 20. Davvy Moale 21. Manaia Waitere 22. Hayden Watson

Storm team news: No major changes after the round 26 win over Brisbane.

Sunday

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Parramatta Eels, WIN Stadium (2pm)

Dragons team: 1. Daniel Atkinson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Tyrell Sloan 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Dylan Egan 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Josh Kerr 17. Jacob Halangahu 18. Jacob Webster 19. Setu Tu 20. Ryan Hutchinson 21. Kade Reed 22. Nicholas Tsougranis

Dragons team news: Blake Lawrie starts at prop in his final game for the Red V, pushing Loko Pasifiki Tonga to lock and Ryan Couchman to the bench.

Eels team: 1. Apa Twidle 2. Brian Kelly 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Ronald Volkman 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Luca Moretti 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Junior Paulo 11. Jack Williams 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. Saxon Pryke 14. Harrison Edwards 15. Jack de Belin 16. Teancum Brown 17. Dylan Walker 18. Tyrese Lokeni 19. Sean Russell 20. Kelma Tuilagi 21. Jonah Pezet 22. Ryley Smith

Eels team news: Jordan Samrani (groin) returns at centre, pushing Sean Russell to the bench. Jack de Belin returns on the bench for what could be his final NRL game – ironically against his former club. Tyrese Lokeni is set to debut.

Penrith Panthers vs Wests Tigers, CommBank Stadium (4.05pm)

Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Luke Garner 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Liam Henry 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Lindsay Smith 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Luron Patea 17. Billy Phillips 18. Blaize Talagi 19. Billy Scott 20. Kalani Leuluai-going 21. Jesse McLean 22. Isaah Yeo 23. John Farragher

Panthers team news: Mitch Kenny (leg) returns after a lengthy absence at hooker, while Isaah Yeo (pectoral) is listed among the reserves. Izack Tago (knee) is sidelined, with Luke Garner slotting in at centre. Ivan Cleary has resisted the chance to rest some of his other big stars for the final round.

Tigers team: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Junior Tupou 3. Solomane Saukuru 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Jock Madden 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Sione Fainu 13. Alex Seyfarth 14. Latu Fainu 15. Vaka Aho 16. Ethan Roberts 17. Bunty Afoa 18. Heath Mason 19. Sunia Turuva 20. Tristan Hope 21. Charlie Murray 22. Faaletino Tavana

Tigers team news: Latu Fainu (hamstring) returns on the bench, while young prop Vaka Aho is set to make his debut.