NSW Origin stars Jarome Luai and Brian To’o given Mt Druitt street parade following Blues win

Viral footage of Mt Druitt locals turning out in force to celebrate Jerome Luai and Brian To’o’s Origin heroics has revealed how much their boys mean to them. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Mal Meninga doesn’t think Jarome Luai should represent NSW?
Well, the people of western Sydney disagree.

Better, they have let the Australian Test coach know their feelings via a shouting, honking street parade now going viral on social media.
Roughly 24 hours after NSW reclaimed the State of Origin shield at Suncorp Stadium, scores of residents from areas like Mt Druitt, Hebersham and Rooty Hill rallied to support hometown heroes Luai and Brian To’o via an impromptu ‘parade’ that went past both family homes in a swirl of screaming fans, honking cars, even banging drums.

Mt Druitt Blues duo Jarome Luai and Brian To’o. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Organised via social media, and led by a semi-trailer, the group met at Herber Park around 7.30pm on Monday night.

From there, and in a convoy that stretched for blocks, the group drove by the homes of both Luai and To’o in a sign that Queensland certainly doesn’t hold a mortgage on State of Origin passion.

Currently, the Penrith duo are both in lockdown as part of strict NRL Covid restrictions.

However, after jetting back home on Monday afternoon, a host of Sydneysiders were keen to celebrate with the two youngsters who already enjoy undeniable cult status out west.

Incredibly, the outpouring of support comes only weeks after Meninga controversially suggested Luai should not be selected for the Blues.

A Queensland coach for 10 years, and Maroons great for another 32 games, Big Mal said that given Luai wants to pledge his Test loyalties to Samoa, and not the Kangaroos, he should be banned from representing in the annual interstate series.

The people of Mt Druitt on Monday night held a drive-by party to celebrate Jarome Luai and Brian To’o winning State of Origin with NSW. Picture: Jarome Luai/Instagram

But as video from Monday night proves, Luai is an undeniable poster boy for all that is great about western Sydney.
Same deal To’o.
Together, a pair of kids who have been raised up to prove the doubters, and documentaries like Struggle Street, wrong.

Oh yeah, they also do it all to their own soundtrack too — with their famed Mt Druitt boom box becoming the must have item for young league fans right across the State, including NSW coach Brad Fittler’s own son.
Yet when asked about Luai only hours before his Origin I debut, Meninga told The Daily Telegraph: “My preference is that if you make yourself available for NSW and Queensland that first and foremost you are available for the Kangaroos.

Luai and To’o received a hero’s welcome back in Mt Druitt. Picture: Jarome Luai/Instagram

“You might describe that as selfish but I want to keep the fabric of Origin clean.
“I’m a huge fan of the international game and I don’t begrudge players wanting to play for their ancestors and their country.”
His statement came only days after the NSW five-eighth, who was born in Sydney, said he wanted to represent the island nation for whom he has played nine times.

Luai qualifies for Samoa through his grandparents.
“At international level you should play for your heritage,” the Panthers No.6 said.

“I was brought up in the Samoan church and I owe it to my family. I want to do them proud.
“Money’s all good but I think at international level it shouldn’t be about money.”

Originally published as NSW Origin stars Jarome Luai and Brian To’o given Mt Druitt street parade following Blues win