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

By AAP
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.

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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Adrian 1 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

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Trevor 4 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

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Bull Shark 8 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

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