Jarome Luai skipped the Wests Tigers end-of-season awards night. His time with the club ended after the event. Reports characterize the situation as a disputed period. At the ceremony, Wests Tigers players Twal and McGregor took home top honours.

Luai has landed a tax-exempt sponsorship deal with PNG-based company Trukai. The new agreement is estimated at $2.2 million per season. Luai left the club after missing the awards night. The sponsorship offers him a fresh arrangement while his Tigers exit draws criticism.