Jarome Luai calls out Reece Walsh over running away after ‘weak’ act

Blues five-eighth has learned when you’re already public enemy No. 1, you’re not going to get much sympathy when the shoe’s on the other foot.

Jarome Luai's hair has become an issue again. Photo: Fox Sports and Getty Images

Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai has called out Maroons debutant over a hair pull early in the second half of the opening Origin match.

Although the incident didn’t have any bearing on the result, the 50th minute act ignited a fiery exchange between players.

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The match was on the line at the time as the Blues had taken a 12-10 lead as the Blues got the ball inside the Maroons’ 10m.

Eventual man of the match Reuben Cotter jumped on the ball, giving Luai a free shot on the ground and he came in hard but legally.

But Walsh wanted a quick play the ball despite a surrender tackle and tried to pull Luai off the play, pulling his hair in the process.

Earlier this season Luai’s hair became an issue when it gave the Panthers a key penalty against Newcastle when Tyson Frizell dragged his Origin teammate to the ground by the back of his jersey. But his long locks hang over his jersey, meaning Frizell had a handful of hair.

However, Michael Ennis claimed it was different than that incident.

“There’s a difference between when you’re trying to tackle someone and you accidentally grab their long hair but when you reach in and try to rip him off...” Ennis said.

“There was nothing wrong with the tackle. The Queenslanders are reacting to Jarome Luai coming in a little bit physical.”

Former Maroon Corey Parker said he was simply “adjusting the ponytail”.

Walsh had a big handful of hair. Photo: Fox Sports

The incident sparked a face-off between Blues second rower Liam Martin and Maroons prop Lindsay Collins but was ultimately a play-the-ball for Queensland, which was probably the right call.

But post match, Luai was far from happy.

The AAP reported Luai had said: “He’s a bit weak, he couldn’t pull it out.”

He told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I knew it was him too because he ran away.

“He doesn’t want to (fight). I’m ready for it, I love that stuff.

“If you’re going to do that and run then that says a lot about you.”

While there are no suggestions it was a targeted attack on Luai, the Panthers half has played the villain the last few seasons.

In 2021, he stood over Felise Kaufusi after NSW’s 50-6 game one win laughing, an image which inspired a lacklustre Maroons side to stave off a whitewash.

He was also back in the midst of the fight after last season’s decider after Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo called him out again after he stood over the winger, who had been knocked out.

Luai said he “didn’t know” Cobbo was knocked out.

Jarome Luai had two try assists for the Blues. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The night only got worse for the Blues after that moment as the Maroons again came home late to break the hearts of the Blues in the 26-18 result, as Queensland scored twice after going down to 12 men in the final 10 minutes.

Reflecting on the result, Luai told foxsports.com.au the team was “pretty shattered” by the result.

“That is Origin footy. You have got to win the big moments at crucial times and Queensland did that and got the win,” Luai said.

“But we are still in this and still really faithful in our side.

“Our attack was a bit clunky tonight, but I thought we scored enough points to get the job done. We just didn’t get our defence right and didn’t win the big moments.

“But one-nil down and we are still in this series and we are going to have to do a good job up at Suncorp.”