Locker Room: Bulldogs watching off-contract Luai as Fittler declares it’s time for Penrith gun to rise up

If squaring the series for NSW isn’t big enough, Jarome Luai also has a game ahead of him that can make him a millionaire, as he and NSW look to write the wrong of last year’s game at Suncorp.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 14: Jarome Luai of the Blues poses during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin training session at Coogee Oval on June 14, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Turn the music down for a minute. Better still, turn it off.

The time has come for NSW State of Origin five-eighth Jarome Luai to mute the party box permanently attached to his wrist and let the magnitude of this Wednesday night sink in.

A sold-out Suncorp Stadium shapes as the most defining match of Luai’s life.

Switch the predictable spotlight off NSW halfback Mitchell Moses.

Let’s focus on Luai.

And let’s begin by understanding NSW coach Brad Fittler’s poignant statement from inside Blues camp this week.

“Last year’s game up there (game three), most probably wasn’t his best,’’ Fittler said.

“So to convince himself he’s at this level, you sometimes have to master it. What a good opportunity.

“The bloke who is opposite him, is (Cameron) Munster, who does it (master Origin matches) regularly.

“So it’s a great challenge and I reckon it’s his time.

“It’s good for him.’’

Jarome Luai will have the eyes of many on him Wednesday night. Picture Grant Trouville

If squaring the series for NSW isn’t big enough, Luai also has 80-minutes ahead of him that can make him a millionaire.

A free agent from November 1, Luai, has the bean counters of Penrith’s salary cap nervous.

The two-time premiership-winner is earning just under $700,000 a season.

He’s currently earning less than Manly’s rookie five-eighth Josh Schuster.

And by further comparison, Jack Wighton, who has retired from Origin football and was unable to usurp Luai from the Blues five-eighth role is currently earning $1.1 million.

Given his deep attachment to Penrith and a desire to be a one-club man, club officials speak with confidence in their bid to retain both Luai and their gun fullback Dylan Edwards – also a free-agent from November 1.

With the exit of Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) and Spencer Leniu (Roosters) at the end of this season, it’s definitely possible.

However, Wednesday night could change everything.

Canterbury are watching closely.

If the dominoes fail to fall their way with a target on the head of St George-Illawarra’s Ben Hunt, a Luai reunion with Matt Burton in the halves at the Dogs makes perfect sense.

Luai should have no shortage of motivation in Brisbane.

Speak to those closest to the Penrith ace and there’s a genuine sense that he wants to prove he’s more than capable of running his own team.

What unfolded in 2022 has fuelled that pursuit for Luai.

The 26-year-old enjoyed arguably the best season of his career, helping the Panthers to back-to-back premierships and Samoa to the World Cup final.

So quickly the game moves on, that few remember that Cleary missed 10 games last season through injury and suspension.

It was Luai, who held the reigns for Penrith.

Luai has proven he can swap the role of Robin to become Batman.

Can Luai master the Origin arena like Cam Munster has done so many times? (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Yet State of Origin asks more of a footballer than any other arena. Champion NSW five-eighth Brett Kenny understands what Luai is about to face.

Kenny’s strike-rate in the halves for NSW alongside his Eels halfback Peter Sterling was superb.

Between 1982 and 1987, the brilliant duo won five from six games for NSW when chosen as the starting halves. However, Kenny had a 50 per cent strike rate – winning three from six games – when paired for NSW with either Steve Mortimer or Des Hasler.

Luai is on the verge of the biggest 80-minutes of his career.

If he can square the series for the Blues without Cleary, watch what happens next.