‘Do something’: Origin feud explodes over ‘grub’ sledge

Jarome Luai has lit the fuse ahead of the Origin series opener, re-igniting his feud with Queensland rival Selwyn Cobbo.

Jarome Luai stands over Selwyn Cobbo in the 2022 Origin decider. WWOS

Blues antagonist Jarome Luai has lit the fuse ahead of the Origin opener, telling Selwyn Cobbo to “do something about it” if the Maroons winger really thinks he is “a grub”.

Luai infamously stood over Cobbo’s unconscious body after he was knocked out just two minutes into the series decider last year.

It prompted the Queenslander to earlier this year call Luai a “grub” over the incident, and the NSW No. 6 has hit back ahead of Game 1 next Wednesday.

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“If he’s genuine about me (being a grub) then he is going to have to do something about it next Wednesday,” Luai told The Daily Telegraph.

“I can’t wait to get out there and compete and go to battle with my brothers.”

Luai became public enemy No. 1 in Queensland following the incident, but the 26-year-old has embraced his villain status in both the Origin arena and clubland.

“I don’t focus on doing it. It’s just what I’m like when I’m out there,” Luai said.

“I just want to be myself. I know when I’m at my best and that’s probably when I’m at my best.”

Jarome Luai stands over Selwyn Cobbo in the 2022 Origin decider. WWOS

Luai flirted with being suspended from the series opener after making contact with a referee in Penrith’s win over Brisbane last Thursday, but escaped with an $1800 fine.

“When it happened I wasn’t worried as I did it and after the game because apparently the referees didn’t complain about it. We left that game on good terms,” Luai said.

“Then I saw all the media around it and I was like ‘Oh shit, maybe it’s an issue’.

“I was just hoping they could see my intentions there. But yeah, I won’t be touching referees ever again.

“I knew he wasn’t part of our team, but I didn’t think it was the referee and I was rushing trying to get somewhere fast, you just want to get people out of the way and he was in the way but it didn’t register it was a referee.

“Obviously, I regret it now.”

Originally published as ‘Do something’: Origin feud explodes over ‘grub’ sledge