‘Public enemy No. 1’: Jarome Luai torched for brain fades in NSW’s Origin humiliation

NSW’s Jarome Luai cemented his status as public enemy No. 1 in Queensland with a controversial act in State of Origin Game II.

Jarome Luai was given his marching orders.

Jarome Luai has once again made himself public enemy No. 1 in Queensland, trying to get himself into the game by standing over Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans.

The Maroons thrashed NSW 32-6 in a Game II demolition at Suncorp Stadium to wrap up the series with a game to come.

The Blues missed some opportunities in the first half and were played off the park.

Luai didn’t have an impact on the game, apart from a couple of brainfades that had footy fans tearing their hair out.

After making a tackle, Luai made sure to stand up right over the top of the Maroons skipper before Cherry-Evans flipped him onto the ground.

The crowd were clearly in Cherry-Evans’ corner.

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“Daly Cherry-Evans on the ground there, they got tangled and then Luai stands over the top of Daly Cherry-Evans,” Cameron Smith said on Nine.

Mat Thompson added: “The crowd don’t like the extra attention from Jarome Luai. This is tense. They don’t know what went on there.”

Pics that likely won't age well.#NRL#Originpic.twitter.com/qRogsQITro

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) June 21, 2023

The move reminded the home fans of the 2021 Origin series, where he stood over the top of Felise Kaufusi after the Blues’ 50-6 win in game one, and when he stood over a knocked out Selwyn Cobbo in game three last year.

Cobbo labelled Luai “a grub”, and saw the played jawing over the drama.

The reaction to the latest drama was swift, but not a lot of it was republishable as Queensland fans vented.

Viewers were also baffled as to how Luai didn’t give away a penalty for standing over the Maroons halfback.

What was Luai doing there?! 🤯

— LadiesWhoLeague (@LadiesWhoLeague) June 21, 2023

How can anything be called a penalty tonight after Luai wasn’t penalised for standing over DCE when he was trying to play the ball? These penalties are just random game management from the refs

— Dumblecore (@RugbyLeagueGod) June 21, 2023

I’m still tryna understand why Luai stood over Cherry Evans like that 😭

— JM. (@juuulzz) June 21, 2023

But Luai’s act arguably backfired, with Cherry-Evans firing up to be one of Queensland’s best in the first half.

Daly Cherry-Evans responded by setting up a try. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Stephen Crichton ran nearly 80m after intercepting the ball but was tackled by Cherry-Evans and NSW were stopped after a knock on/falcon from Damien Cook.

Cherry-Evans then got the Maroons back in field position and used the hands to put the Maroons up 10-0, driving another dagger into NSW hearts.

The Maroons led 10-0 at halftime and quickly pushed the score out to 20-0 early in the second half as Queensland’s backline ran riot.

Valentine Holmes crossed for two tries to become Queensland’s third most prolific try scorer ever, overtaking the likes of Dane Gagai, Billy Slater and Dale Shearer.

Jarome Luai and Reece Walsh headbutt each other.

Jarome Luai was given his marching orders. Photo: Ch 9.

Luai also found himself in hot water when a scuffle broke out with 20 seconds remaining in the game.

The Blues five-eighth was sent off for headbutting Reece Walsh after the Queensland fullback did the game.

Mat Thompson said on Channel 9: “I think Jarome Luai’s taken over the mantle as public enemy No. 1.”

Josh Addo-Carr was sin binned for throwing a punch, while Walsh was also given his marching orders for his role in the biff.

In wild scenes, the Queensland fullback celebrated as he got sent off with just moments left in the game.

Originally published as ‘Public enemy No. 1’: Jarome Luai torched for brain fades in NSW’s Origin humiliation