2017 video of Blues bolter Jarome Luai emerges where he picks Queensland over NSW

The Origin squads have been picked for the series start Wednesday week but video of one of the surprise packets has re-emerged.

The 2020 State of Origin squads are in and NSW coach Brad Fittler has dropped a bolter from out of nowhere with Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai being selected in the 27-man squad.

Often overshadowed by halfback Nathan Cleary, Luai has broken through in 2020, having reportedly been in a battle with Matt Burton as the Panthers sought to establish a long-term five-eighth.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Luai appears to have done the trick, having been a key part of the Panthers’ 17-game winning streak with 23 try assists in 23 games this season, which was only ended in the 26-20 Grand Final loss to Melbourne.

Most pundits didn’t expect Luai to feature in the Blues squad with the likes of Cody Walker, Jack Wighton and Luke Keary considered the frontrunners for the five eighth role for NSW.

Luai was one of seven players from the Grand Final selected for NSW alongside teammates Cleary, rookie Stephen Crichton and Isaah Yeo, while the Storm had Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane and Ryan Papenhuyzen added to the squad.

But video has resurfaced of Luai seemingly picking Queensland over NSW.

In a lighthearted rapid-fire Q and A for the Samoan World Cup team during the 2017 World Cup, where Luai was the youngest player in the squad at 20, one of the questions he was asked was “NSW or Queensland” and without skipping a beat, he answered “Queensland”.

While a lot has changed for Luai in the three years since that video was made, Fittler didn’t seem worried about where his allegiances lay.

“I think on his performance tonight, he‘s a player of the future for New South Wales and Penrith for a long time to come,” Fittler said in Nine’s post-match show.

“I think his games over the last few weeks have been awesome. He‘s been one of the most energetic players.

“You know what energy is like around camp – sometimes it‘s about getting that balance right between certain players and certain characters.”

Speaking after the Grand Final, Luai admitted he didn’t believe he was good enough to play State of Origin.

“I‘m just really disappointed still but really happy that opportunity has come,” Luai said.

“It‘s probably the highest footy that can be played so really excited to get in there and experience that with the boys. Happy.”

Jerome Luai had quite a season.

Having played for Samoa thanks to his grandparents, Laui was asked about comments he made earlier this year where he said “my heart is with Samoa” and wanting to establish the nation internationally like Tonga had in recent years.

“That was showing I wanted to play for Samoa, and if NSW popped up I‘d be happy to take that opportunity.

“I‘m really grateful for that now and I get the chance to go in there, experience something new.

“I think it‘s something I thought I wasn’t good enough to play so I never really thought about it, ever.

“That‘s what I’m happy about I guess is that opportunity so I’m really grateful for that. It’s going to be a good time.”

2020 NSW STATE OF ORIGIN SQUAD

Payne Haas (Broncos), Tyson Frizell, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes (Dragons), Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo (Eels), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Damien Cook, Cameron Murray, Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton (Raiders), Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo (Panthers), Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane, Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm).

2020 QUEENSLAND STATE OF ORIGIN SQUAD

Xavier Coates, Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess (Cowboys), Ben Hunt, Josh Kerr (Dragons), Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt (Knights), Jaydn Su’a, Corey Allan, Dane Gagai (Rabbitohs), Dunamis Lui, Josh Papalii (Raiders), Jake Friend, Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Harry Grant (Tigers), Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika, Phillip Sami (Titans), Kurt Capewell (Panthers), Tino Faasuamaleaui, Brenko Lee, Cameron Munster, Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi (Storm).

STATE OF ORIGIN SERIES

Game 1: Wednesday November 4, 8.10pm ADST @ Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

Game 2: Wednesday November 11, 8.10pm ADST @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney

Game 3: Wednesday November 18, 8.10pm ADST @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Originally published as 2017 video of Blues bolter Jarome Luai emerges where he picks Queensland over NSW