Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles has justified his decision to sign Jarome Luai for the year 2027, stating it will provide the club with significant advantages.
Ryles has faced considerable backlash for his choice to bring Luai on board, having made a similar one-year contract commitment with Jonah Pezet this season, which did not yield positive results.
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Pezet, who has been plagued by injuries throughout the year, is already set to join the Brisbane Broncos next season.
There was a belief that Pezet's acquisition would enable the Eels to utilize the 2026 season to prepare Lorenzo Talataina and Lincoln Fletcher for first-grade competition.
However, after the club let go of Dylan Brown, who is bound for the Newcastle Knights at the end of 2025, the choice to sign Luai raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
With Pezet largely sidelined and participating in reserve grade, it has been Papalii and Ronald Volkman who have shared the on-field responsibilities, particularly when Mitchell Moses was unavailable.
In a media briefing on Wednesday, Ryles contended that bringing in Luai, as opposed to the Pezet signing, is a different strategy. He insisted it will grant the club time to develop future talent while simultaneously improving their standing in the league.