Speculation that Jarome Luai has fallen out with Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has gone into overdrive after a social media hint from the star halfback’s father.

The Tigers have told Luai to explore his options for 2027 ahead of his impending move to Papua New Guinea when they enter the NRL in 2028.

The 29-year-old’s early call to commit to PNG has reportedly sparked tension between he and Marshall, who earlier this year declared to his players that “if you’re not prepared to follow what we stand for, guess what — there’s the f****** door”.

It also comes less than 12 months after Lachlan Galvin’s messy exit from the Tigers.

Speaking on Triple M over the weekend, veteran rugby league reporter Danny Weidler said Luai and Marshall have drifted.

“It feels weird to me that the guy who was brought in to change the culture of your club is out the door in a couple of years,” Weidler said.

“My feeling on it is that Benji and Jarome aren’t necessarily as close as they were. I’m not saying there was a blow-up or anything. I just don’t think they are as close as they were ever since he made that big call to say I’m off to PNG.

“Quite often in those situations when a player makes a decision like that, it takes a very strong club and very strong people to make it continue to work in the background.

“It has worked; Penrith players have gone, someone like Stephen Crichton had a great season. But Penrith and the Wests Tigers are different clubs.”

Triple M then posted a graphic of Weidler’s quote alongside photos of Luai and Marshall on Instagram, which didn’t go unnoticed by Luai’s dad.

Martin Luai was a notable commenter on the graphic, appearing to confirm Weidler’s view with a 👌 emoji.

As for next season, Parramatta remain the front-runners to land Luai.

Perth would likely be another option given the whopping amount of salary-cap space available to the Bears, while several other clubs are yet to rule out a play.

But the most obvious landing spot remains the Eels, with Jonah Pezet Brisbane-bound after a similar one-year stint and Ronald Volkman also set to exit.

The Eels’ defence again showed signs of improvement in Saturday’s 28-12 loss to the Sydney Roosters, but they have still only scored 20 points three times in the past 10 games.

Asked whether putting Luai alongside his former NSW halves partner Mitch Moses would help improve the attack, Eels coach Jason Ryles was clear in suggesting it would.

“I reckon it might ... but I’m talking about the scenario you’re giving me. I’m not saying it’s happening,” Ryles said.

“When elite players become available we are always interested and we are in a position to execute on stuff.

“We have a really clear strategy we are working towards.

“It’s a long-term view, and anyone who is an elite player that becomes available that we think is going to help us into the future, we are very interested in.”

Parramatta have Moses signed until the end of 2029 along with hooker Tallyn Da Silva, while young fullback Isaiah Iongi is locked in until 2030.

The Eels view Lorenzo Talataina, Josh Papalii and Lincoln Fletcher as potential long-term halves, but signed Pezet to play NRL this year while the trio develop in NSW Cup.

Parramatta must now decide if another bridging year is required from Luai, or whether to throw one of the trio into the NRL on a full-time basis.

“They need reps, they need time,” Ryles said of his young halves.

“I use Izzy (Iongi) as the example. 

“He played 60 Cup games behind one of the best systems in the whole competition (at Penrith), and gave himself the best chance to get to where he is at the moment.

“But he is nowhere near where he’s going to get to, and we’re in year two. It just takes time.”

With AAP