Jarome Luai promises tears, blood in Samoa v New Zealand Pacific Championship final
As Jarome Luai prepares to take on New Zealand in the Pacific Championship final, he opens up on his emotional connection to Samoa, and reveals why he sings three national anthems.
Jarome Luai is preparing to shed tears. Then, maybe blood.
“It’s going to be a war,” Luai said.
“It’s going to be a bloodbath. It’s the same sort of type of intensity (as State of Origin), but I can’t speak highly enough of the emotion that I feel with the Samoan anthem and things like that.
“I think I have said it before – I always sing the Australian national anthem. My parents are heavily connected to New Zealand so I sing their national anthem as well.
“But when the Samoan anthem comes on I can’t help myself but shed tears every single time. That’s the sort of emotional connection everyone sort of has to Samoa.
“Blood is thicker than water at the end of the day. That is what it is all about.”
It’s also about winning and Luai-inspired Samoa have every chance to do just that at a sold-out Commbank Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they face New Zealand in the final of what has been a wildly-successful Pacific Championships.
Samoa went perilously close to beating the Kiwis a few weeks ago in the opening game of the tournament and a big win over Tonga has given them a shot at redemption.
It shapes as a seminal moment for the Samoan national side as they look to maintain momentum heading into next year’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia.
SPEAKING SAMOAN
Luai grew up in a house steeped in Samoan tradition. His father Martin speaks fluent Samoan and his upbringing was surrounded by reminders of his heritage.
“It was always part of my life – I went to church every Sunday and they spoke Samoan there,” Luai said.
“I grew up here but I was real connected to the Samoan way. All the oldies bringing that back from Samoa, which is why I sort of gravitated toward Samoa.
“But it’s not about playing catch up. It’s just about embracing it. It’s in our blood, it’s who we are. That’s the best thing about this camp.
“I know some people say you’re plastic, you don’t know how to speak the language. But everyone’s in a different level and you’re welcome with open arms here.
“It’s about embracing that. That’s what it’s all about.”
Not everyone in the Samoan team is fluent in the native tongue but, in tandem with cultural adviser Nigel Vagana, team leaders brought in a rule where at certain times only Samoan is allowed.
Speak English and you are forced to endure a punishment. Generally it involves performing a siva – the Samoan word for dance. Winning rugby league games is the priority, but respecting your Samoan heritage is almost as important.
“There’s a bit of a game – there is a period of time where we can only speak Samoan to each other and if anyone is caught speaking English, then you have got to get up,” Luai said.
“It’s little things like that in and around camp is what separates it.”
THE IMPACT
Luai will have plenty of family and friends at Commbank Stadium on Sunday afternoon, among them his grandparents.
They grew up in Samoa and their presence helps explain why Sunday afternoon is so important to Luai.
“I think that’s why this means so much to me, just the impact it has on my family,” he said.
“My grandparents, they’re still alive. They’re the ones that live on the roundabout, and everyone drives past it.
“I see videos of them out front on their porch dancing. They grew up in Samoa. So they are really proud.
“They’re going to be at the game.”
Emotions will be running high and it is an issue the Samoan camp have addressed in the lead-up to the final.
“We’ve spoken a lot in this camp about regulating emotions because pre-game is a lot different to your normal NRL game,” Luai said.
“You sing the anthem and emotions are high. You do the siva tau and emotions are even higher. After that point you’ve got to regulate your emotions to come back and realise that you have a job to do now.
“So, I think that’s been important for us, to find that balance before the game. At the end of the day, you still got to embrace that feeling and soak it in because you never know when your last opportunity to do all that is going to be.”
THE FUTURE
Winning the Pacific Championships would be a huge statement for the Samoan side and the future looks even brighter as they attempt to strengthen their squad in the lead-up to next year’s World Cup.
Dolphins and Queensland superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has indicated he will play for Samoa while there is genuine hope that they can convince Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to follow suit.
Steve Crichton and Spencer Leniu, sidelined with injury for the Pacific Championships, have also made an appearance in camp this week in a reminder of the quality that Samoa have at their disposal.
“I think BG, our coach Ben Gardiner, has really over the last couple of set in place some things and some really good stepping stones towards the World Cup,” Luai said.
“You have guys with high profile coming over now like Payne (Haas). It was massive. “
I’m not sure where Tino stands, but everyone that’s here right now put their hand up on personal reasons and they want to be here. So that’s pretty heartwarming.”
Asked about what a win on Sunday would mean to him, Luai said: “I don’t want to going detail about it because it hasn’t happened.
“I’m probably a bit of a realist and just understand that you need to stay present and do the work, beforehand.
“It would mean a lot not only to myself, but I think just seeing what it would mean to the people around the world supporting (us).
“They’re all saying, win or lose, we’re behind you. But I am a competitive dude.”
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