NSW State of Origin game one news: Jarome Luai shows he was made for Blues jersey
It was the moment which had social media ablaze during State of Origin game one. So, why did Jarome Luai call referee Gerard Sutton ‘Bro?’
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There were many firsts for NSW on Wednesday night — including three debutants.
But none of them revealed just how comfortable they were inside the Origin arena than the moment Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai called State of Origin referee Gerard Sutton, ‘Bro’.
Social media went into meltdown after Luai revealed his carefree character while being warned by Sutton in the 45th minute for running into protect his captain James Tedesco who had been taken out by Queensland forward Joe Ofahengaue.
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“Did you see his (Ofahengaue) eyes, it was all on him (Tedesco) bro,” Luai told Sutton.
Post-match, the embarrassed Panthers star smiled when told he had become the first player in Origin history to call a referee ‘bro’.
“Hearing that blows my mind,” Luai laughed.
“I think I was too comfortable out there, so I’ll try to be more formal next time.’’
NSW and Penrith halves partner Nathan Cleary said the funny exchange revealed an insight into how at ease Luai was ahead of the biggest game of his career.
“He was less nervous than I was,” Cleary said.
‘It just sums him up and it’s the way he plays.
“His confidence is infectious on the rest of the group.
“That’s why I love playing alongside him. He was enormous again.
“I had full belief he would play well, but I think that puts it all beyond doubt.
“Origin really suits him because he‘s an X-factor. People were probably worried about his defence, but I think he defended really well.
“We first played together in under-16s and now we‘re in Origin -it's a dream come true.’’
Luai admitted he was proud of his performance.
“I’m a little bit (surprised) by how I went, but I think it’s more a credit to my teammates because they looked after me and they let me do what I do,’’ Luai said.
“The preparation was spot-on and so that allowed us to be ruthless out there as well.”
Blues score 50 points & Jarome Luai calls the referee bro. This is our peak guys this is it
— Nat Sinclair (@nat_sinclair93) June 9, 2021
I can’t stop thinking about Luai calling the ref bro
— Victoria (@yeahthevic) June 9, 2021
I’m still in shock about Jarome Luai calling referee Gerard Sutton ‘bro’ 🙊😂😂😂😂
— Hannah (@hclaire29) June 9, 2021
TEST ALLEGIANCE OR NOT … LUAI WAS BORN FOR ORIGIN
Nick Walshaw
Jarome Luai is a Mt Druitt kid right down to that chip on his shoulder.
The boom box?
Oh, it’s part of his make up, too.
But the real heartbeat to this future of NSW Origin football, the undeniable soundtrack to which he moves, even struts, it’s all that comes from living your first 24 years as a Struggle Street extra.
You know, that kid forever told he won’t. Or can’t.
The punchline.
So then when, unthinkably, he goes and does what everyone said was beyond him — you want to suggest he isn’t NSW?
Nah, sorry.
This bloke is the best our State has to offer.
Sure, Mal Meninga may not agree.
With the Australian coach, only hours before Luai ran out for his hyped Origin debut in Townsville, telling colleague Phil Rothfield the Blues No. 6 should not be playing given his desire to represent — gasp -— Samoa at international level.
Meninga’s argument, and one supported by plenty of others, is that Origin should be kept only for those blokes who want to represent Australia.
An ideal, he says, which saves the “fabric of Origin”.
But the fabric of Origin … what the bloody hell does that even mean anymore?
Once, Origin was all about moustaches, Stubbies sponsorships and stinks.
Or at the very least, softening up periods.
Those gorgeous 10 minutes when the whistle disappeared, eyeballs popped and men with chest hair cocked elbows like John Wayne once did rifles.
But things have changed, of course.
The world, rugby league, all of it.
So if the essence of Origin on field can change, why not the men who play it?
For undoubtedly, Luai is as much Mt Druit as Liam Martin is a Temora boy, and Isaah Yeo tattooed by Dubbo.
Yet he also wants to represent Samoa at Test level.
Which is surely his right, too.
Better, the Penrith livewire represents Origin’s future.
With no less than Blues great Laurie Daley suggesting last week that recent changes to the game means players like Luai will be given more time and space in the Origin arena – thereby making them more suited to interstate footy than ever before.
Which is how it went in this one.
Showing no signs of nerves early — again, it’s a Mt Druitt thing — the Blues six started out with a couple of nice long balls before orchestrating one try for Brian To’o, another for Tommy Turbo, and celebrating both like a fella who had yearned for the very moment.
Arrogant?
No, but the kid boasts confidence in bucketloads.
Exactly the kind required too when told you can’t, or won’t, but go and get there anyway.
Elsewhere, Luai combined beautifully with Penrith halves partner Nathan Cleary, set Latrell Mitchell free constantly and took it to Queensland, physically, wherever possible.
Like early in the second half, when Maroons behemoth Joe Ofahengaue attacked James Tedesco illegally in the air.
So Luai, he had a crack at the bopper who outweighed him by 25kg.
Which may not have been the smartest play, granted.
Still, it was a bloke standing up for his mate.
That, and his State.
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Originally published as NSW State of Origin game one news: Jarome Luai shows he was made for Blues jersey
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