Jarome Luai was absent from the Wests Tigers end-of-season awards night. His time with the club ended after the event. Reports describe the situation as a contentious episode. At the ceremony, Wests Tigers players Twal and McGregor received major awards.

Luai has secured 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 gives him a new arrangement while his Tigers exit draws criticism.