Jarome Luai defends ‘disgusting’ Origin act, refuses to apologise

Jarome Luai has refused to apologise after he was accused of being a “grub” for standing over a Maroons star who was brutally KO’d.

Jarome Laui stands over Selwyn Cobbo.

NSW star Jarome Luai has defended his conduct in the Origin decider as he came under fire for standing over Selwyn Cobbo after the Queensland young gun was brutally knocked out.

Cobbo got his head in the wrong spot while making a tackle in the opening minute and was out cold. The winger — who made his Origin debut this year — was taken off the field and didn’t play any further part in the game.

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While he was flat on his back, Luai appeared to taunt Cobbo. But the Blues five-eighth said after the match he had no idea his rival was knocked out and doesn’t believe he needs to say sorry.

“I actually didn’t know he was knocked out,” Luai told reporters on Thursday morning. “But that’s Origin, heat of the moment stuff. I play with a lot of passion.

“I spoke to him (Cobbo) after the game and he was all good, so good to see that.

“I don’t think I have anything to apologise for. There wasn’t any harm. I didn’t touch him.”

Luai was called a “grub” on social media while others slammed his “disgusting” act, that could provide one of the defining images from this year’s series. But for the man himself, it’s water off a duck’s back.

“They’ve always called me that (a grub),” Luai said. “So that’s the fans of the sport and you need to take into consideration they’re not out there on the field.”

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Queensland centre Dane Gagai added: “There is a line you don’t cross. If Luai had his time again, he might not have said what he said. That is what this game brings out in you.

“It is just passion and heat of the moment. I know Luai. He is a good man away from the field.”

Jarome Laui stands over Selwyn Cobbo.

Laui’s taunt sparked an all-in melee as Queensland stars who didn’t approve of the NSW playmaker’s behaviour came charging in to let him know how they felt.

“There’s a Queenslander down on the floor. 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.

“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.”

There was absolute carnage at the start of Origin III, which Queensland won 22-12 to seal a 2-1 series victory in front of their home crowd at Suncorp Stadium.

In addition to Cobbo’s injury, Queensland prop Lindsay Collins and NSW lock Cameron Murray were also knocked out in the opening three minutes of a contest that reminded people of the brutality seen in the 1980s.

There was real concern for Cobbo when he went down. Pic: Adam Head

He was ruled out of the game. Pic: Adam Head

Like Cobbo, Collins and Murray were both ruled out of the match. But even though they were two men down — and without superstar pivot Cameron Munster — Queensland dug deep to pull off one of the state’s most famous victories in Origin history.

“We knew that was going to take a fair bit of petrol out of our tank, but that is as good a Queensland victory as I have ever seen,” Maroons coach Billy Slater told reporters in his post-match press conference.

“A resilient, tough performance. I’ve got some pretty proud boys in there and they have earnt that.

“I don’t think I’ve been any prouder of a team I’ve been involved in.”