Jarome Luai admits social media post mistake after Panthers grand final win
The Penrith playmaker has defended his team’s post grand final antics, while admitting to one big blunder in the wake of their victory.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Panthers star Jarome Luai has admitted he did the wrong thing by posting an offensive term to Instagram in the wake of Penrith’s grand final victory over the Eels.
The star five-eighth has escaped suspension over the incident and will be free to play in every game of the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in England.
Watch every match of the Rugby League World Cup LIVE & Exclusive to Fox Sports, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The offensive term, which news.com.au has chosen not to publish, was posted on the 25-year-old’s Instagram stories along with a picture of Luai and teammate Jaemon Salmon in the early hours of the morning following the NRL decider.
Luai immediately deleted the post upon waking up the next morning and receiving a phone call about reaction to the incident.
“It was just a mate-on-mate thing and I was just embracing one of my boys during the celebrations, but I realised (it was wrong) when I woke up to the phone call,” Luai told 9News.
“I knew to take it down straight away. I know it caught a bit of headlines.
“Just grateful that I get to participate in the first couple of games (of the World Cup).
“I understand that it was the wrong thing to do and the wrong thing to post.
“With the influence we have as big NRL players, we need to watch what we say, as well, so that’s definitely a lesson learned for me.”
Laui copped plenty of criticism from NRL pundits during Penrith’s title celebrations and he wasn’t the only Panthers star in the spotlight.
James Fisher-Harris also came under fire for starting up an anti-Eels chant during the Panthers fan day, while he also declared the current Penrith outfit the club’s greatest team ever during the same speech.
Outgoing hooker Api Koroisau also received a dressing down from the Tigers after he joked about his ability to win a premiership at the side he’s joining next year.
However Luai defended the actions of his teammates, saying they are just being themselves.
“I’ve got a saying for myself: if you’re not hated you’re not doing it right,” Luai said.
“So I’ve sort of embraced that a bit. We’re just being who we are as people.
“We’re happy people and we love each other’s company, as well.
“I know whoever knows us face-to-face and person-to-person — they know we’re good people.
“We’re just enjoying this ride.”
Kent slams misbehaving Panthers
In the wake of Penrith’s grand final win, veteran journalist Paul Kent shredded some of the players for their overzealous celebrations.
Speaking on NRL 360, Kent suggested Luai would be in danger of missing games for Samoa due to the offensive term posted on his Instagram.
“It’s a well known racial term which Penrith claim is a term of endearment, which is ridiculous,” Kent said.
“Honestly, at some point these blokes have got to be asked to act like men. They’re carrying on like 16-year-old schoolboys the way they’re caring on with this victory.
“Good on them, they’re so good but the line has gone too far and stuff like that, and another bloke called a player a name in a game last year and he got out for four weeks if you remember that.
“ (Luai) runs the risk, he’s a proud Samoan and he’s going to play for Samoa in the World Cup and he’s a big chance of missing games now because again he got carried away with his own greatness.
“Someone at Penrith, whether it’s Ivan Cleary or Brian Fletcher the CEO, they have to call these guys in and say ‘guys show a bit of class, just a little bit, show some grace and humility’... because not one shred has been shown so far.
“Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards are the only ones you’d look at and can say can walk away with some kind of integrity from what they say. The rest just act like rat mugs.”
In a separate Instagram post, Luai posed alongside the coveted Provan-Summons Trophy with the caption “daddy loves you”, a suspected jab at the Eels.
The Panthers also came under fire 12 months ago for their social media activity following the 2021 NRL grand final.
Last year, former Penrith star Tyrone May was filmed using an offensive term during the team’s premiership celebrations.
The controversial footballer was filmed by teammate Viliame Kikau in an Instagram live Q+A using an offensive term in response to trolls who made reference to his sex tape scandal.
The video shows May approaching the camera alongside Kikau before saying: “I don’t give a f***. F*** every motherf***er, n***er”.
Jillaroos coach sensationally quits just before Las Vegas Test
The Jillaroos will head to Las Vegas for their historic Test match against England with a new coach, after a turbulent six months finally caught up with long-standing coach Brad Donald.
Pre-season spotlight: Titans injury blow, Broncos bolter emerges
The Titans have suffered a massive setback on the eve of their pre-season challenge campaign, while another surprise Round 1 bolter has emerged at the Broncos. See the latest team news.