Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'Pretty sure he feels like an idiot': Jarome Luai defends passion for NSW after pundit's criticism

Panthers Brian To'o and Jarome Luai pose during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin squad Media Opportunity at Crowne Plaza Coogee on May 30, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Jarome Luai and Brian To’o have hit back at claims their decision to play for Samoa lessened their passion for NSW, labelling the argument laughable and confusing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Luai in particular has drawn criticism for the Blues’ State of Origin series-deciding loss at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago, amid claims Queensland’s win came because the jersey means more to Maroons players.

The Penrith pair are among a group of NSW players to declare their allegiance to Pacific nations over the Kangaroos for the end-of-year World Cup, alongside Daniel Tupou, Siosifa Talakai and Kotoni Staggs.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

But claims from pundits that this showed the NSW jersey meant less to this group than to other Kangaroos hopefuls does not wash with the Penrith five-eighth.

“It’s hard to judge someone’s passion,” Luai told AAP, taking aim in particular at comments which fuelled the issue from NRL360 host Paul Kent.

“It’s pretty funny to be honest. I am pretty sure he (Kent) feels like an idiot at the end of the day.

“People have their opinions and as players you need to have that filter of which opinion is important.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Any jersey I put on means a lot. To have my last name on a jersey, that’s what means the most to me. I don’t know how you can judge that.”

Luai said he had learned to deal with criticism after playing alongside Nathan Cleary in recent years, but questioning of his passion had confused him when passed on.

Related

“It’s a bit weird. If we win that game then no-one is saying anything about us,” Luai said.

“But we lost and at the end of the day people are going to give you criticism and share their opinions.

“But we are players and play hard for each other every time we put a jersey on, no matter what jersey it is.

ADVERTISEMENT

“So it’s pretty crazy that people are trying to judge us off that.”

To’o was also adamant there was no way his passion for NSW or any team he represents could be questioned.

“We take the jersey heavily, whether it is for Panthers or Blues,” he told AAP.

“Whatever jersey we put on we are so grateful for the opportunity and are obviously going to put our heart and soul into it.

“I was just mainly confused (about the comments), but it’s different when you are on the field compared to looking from the outside in.”

Regardless, the pair hope more players follow their lead to represent their heritage at the World Cup, with To’o encouraging others to follow their heart in any individual decision.

Queenslander Felise Kaufusi became the latest potential Kangaroo to confirm he would play for Tonga last week, while Stephen Crichton, Josh Papali’i, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jeremiah Nanai and Junior Paulo all have calls to make.

“We’re just proud of our Polynesian side,” Luai said.

“It’s the way you grow up and it’s a lifestyle. It’s how we grew up in the Samoan community, Samoan churches.

“It’s instilled in us, it’s who we are. Yeah, we are in Australia now. But it’s a way of life.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING ‘It’s about his career’: Why NRL star Payne Haas could jump codes ‘It’s about his career’: Why NRL star Payne Haas could jump codes
Search