JAROME Luai’s decision to relocate to Papua New Guinea could add an unexpected twist when Toa Samoa face the Kumuls in Port Moresby at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in October.
Samoa head coach Ben Gardiner has already warned that the PNG clash will be one of the toughest fixtures, but he believes Luai’s presence in the nation’s capital will shift the atmosphere beyond football.
“We are now going to go in with a level of support because of Jarome, which I think is a good thing for us,” Gardiner said. “They are going to want to care for Jarome and see him in the streets, so it is going to add another level of excitement to it.”
Gardiner noted that Luai’s involvement with PNG’s future NRL franchise could create a unique situation, with fans torn between supporting their national team and celebrating the star who is helping launch their club.
“He is going to play against some of the players he will play with and, who knows, there could be more of our players signing with the Chiefs before the World Cup,” he said.
The coach compared the growing influence of Samoa and PNG on the international stage, saying Luai’s move reflects a broader shift in the game.
“It is a big call for Jarome but I understand why he has done it. It’s a great show of leadership that he is putting himself out there,” Gardiner said.
“The international game has been about social change and support, and Jarome has the chance to do that on a more extended scale.”
Samoa, runners-up at RLWC2021, will open their campaign on Oct 16 against France at CommBank Stadium, before heading to Port Moresby to face the Kumuls on Oct 24. They will conclude their pool stage against Tonga in Sydney.
