This week, most of the NRL chat has been about Jarome Luai. The morning after the West Tigers lost to the North Queensland Cowboys, Luai was on a plane to PNG.

The Tigers' marquee player met with the PNG prime minister, and opened a golf tournament, before he visited a Pepsi factory, a brand of which he's the face.

The problem was, Tigers officials didn't know about the trip until videos and photos were posted to social media of their $1.2 million-a-year man.

Luai won't join the PNG team until 2028, so how does this flying visit stack up against his commitments to his current team? And how much of a distraction will the PNG issue be for the Parramatta Eels – Luai's team next season?

We also talk about Jett Cleary's debut on the weekend for the Warriors, and now he's been released to join Penrith next year, could he play alongside his champion brother Nathan Cleary?

This week, deputy sports editor Billie Eder joins rugby league reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to dissect the latest NRL news.

This week, most of the NRL chat has been about Jarome Luai. The morning after the West Tigers lost to the North Queensland Cowboys, Luai was on a plane to PNG.
The Tigers' marquee player met with the PNG prime minister, and opened a golf tournament, before he visited a Pepsi factory, a brand of which he's the face.
The problem was, Tigers officials didn't know about the trip until videos and photos were posted to social media of their $1.2 million-a-year man.
Luai won't join the PNG team until 2028, so how does this flying visit stack up against his commitments to his current team? And how much of a distraction will the PNG issue be for the Parramatta Eels &ndash; Luai's team next season? We also talk about Jett Cleary's debut on the weekend for the Warriors, and now he's been released to join Penrith next year, could he play alongside his champion brother Nathan Cleary? This week, deputy sports editor Billie Eder joins rugby league reporters Christian Nicolussi and Adrian Proszenko to dissect the latest NRL news.

From newsroom of The Sydney Morning Herald, NRL podcast 40/20 gives you press pass access to the latest news, controversies and performances in the rugby league calendar. Each week, hear the best analysis in the business from Neil Breen, Christian Nicolussi, Channel Nine's Zac Bailey and a host of guest stars.

Follow, and review our show on Apple or Spotify, and for all the latest sports news, go to smh.com.au.

From newsroom of The Sydney Morning Herald,&nbsp;NRL podcast 40/20 gives you press pass access to the&nbsp;latest news, controversies and performances in the rugby league calendar. Each week, hear the best analysis in the business from Neil Breen, Christian Nicolussi, Channel Nine's Zac Bailey and a host of guest stars.
Follow, and review our show on Apple or Spotify, and for all the latest sports news, go to <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl">smh.com.au.</a>