‘Disgusting’: Jarome Luai slammed for ‘grubby’ taunt in Origin decider

NSW star Jarome Luai has been slammed for a “grubby” act after Queensland’s Selwyn Cobbo was knocked out in the Origin decider.

Jarome Laui stands over Selwyn Cobbo.

Blues star Jarome Luai has come under fire for standing over Queensland’s Selwyn Cobbo after he was knocked out in the opening stages of the State of Origin decider.

Cobbo was knocked out within the first two minutes of the game when he copped some friendly fire from Queensland teammate Patrick Carrigan while attempting a tackle.

Stream the FOX LEAGUE State of Origin Game 3 REPLAY on Kayo with no ads during-play. Both full and condensed replays available to stream from 11PM AEST. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

It was one of three incidents in the early stages that also saw Blues star Cameron Murray and Queensland’s Lindsay Collins go off for head injury assessments (HIAs) — all three were judged category 1 which rules them out of the remainder of the match.

Cobbo’s head knock was the most brutal of the lot and he was left dazed, lying on his back as Luai stood over the top of him and yelled at the Maroons young gun.

The act sparked an all-in melee as several Queensland players didn’t take kindly to Luai’s taunt.

“There’s a Queenslander down on the fall. It’s Selwyn Cobbo. Oh, no, this young man, he’s in Disneyland,” commentator Mat Thompson said on Channel 9.

“The intensity is remarkable,” he added.

Jarome Laui stands over Selwyn Cobbo.

The Maroons weren’t happy with Luai. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“Selwyn Cobbo, some obvious concern as is the case when there’s any issues with the head or there’s any issues with the head or the neck region.

“All the Queensland medical staff having a look and they are asking for the stretcher.”

Fans weren’t impressed by Luai and slammed the Blues five-eighth for flexing on Cobbo while he was clearly knocked out.

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy tweeted: “Jarome Luai standing over Cobbo is going to become a defining Origin image.”

The ABC’s Jacob Shields said: “Unfortunate start to Origin, but that was disgusting from Jerome Luai to stand over Cobbo flexing after he’s out cold on the ground clearly knocked out … could have been seriously injured and he’s flexing over him being all tough?? Very grubby, gross stuff.”

Luai is my fave but that was a terrible look. Hope he learns from that one & hope Cobbo is okay 😥

— Nat Sinclair (@nat_sinclair93) July 13, 2022

Cobbo was immediately tended to by the trainers but he was able to get to his feet and was taken from the field in a medicab wearing a neck brace.

Valentine Holmes opened the scoring for Queensland but the Blues hit back through tries to Luai and Jacob Saifiti.

Kurt Capewell swooped on a Blues blunder to score as NSW took a 12-10 lead into halftime.

Selwyn Cobbo is tended to during the State of Origin decider. Photo: Adam Head

It may only be his second series as Blues five-eighth but Luai is one of the Maroons’ biggest targets after screamed over the top of Maroons forward Felise Kaufusi in a 50-6 thrashing in the first game of the 2021 series.

It was a picture the Maroons used as inspiration and while the side lost the series after a 26-0 loss in game two, they bounced back to stave off a rare whitewash in game three.

This will only add fuel to the fire for next series.