For all the talk of Nathan Cleary needing to dominate Origin, Jarome Luai already has

For all the talk about Nathan Cleary needing to dominate Origin, Jarome Luai already has. And he heads into the game three decider as a dangerously underestimated star for NSW.

For all the talk of Nathan Cleary needing to dominate Origin, Jarome Luai already has.

It was almost 12 months ago to the day, in fact, when Luai, without his four-time premiership-winning clubmate, delivered arguably the greatest moment of his career.

In a State of Origin decider, no less.

It took 64-and-a-half minutes at Suncorp Stadium before Luai, ball in two hands, leapt to the outside of Jeremiah Nanai, turned veteran Dane Gagai in, before throwing a miracle ball to Bradman Best which crushed 17 Maroons, and their state.

But, still Luai remains dangerously underestimated heading into Wednesday night.

Jarome Luai heads into the State of Origin decider as one of the Blues’ most underestimated weapons. Picture: Getty Images

Sure, he was called up late to camp in game two, made a few bad judgment calls in the first 20 minutes, but without him the Blues attack looked dead to rights and they were probably looking at a more lopsided scoreboard.

Luai had a hand in every try scored for the Blues that night, but what makes him more dangerous than any other man who will take the field on Wednesday is his mindset.

A process which has not only won him four premierships, but the driving factor which led his Origin deciding play last year, and what could just be the Blues’ not-so-secret weapon.

“I’m not sure if I hate losing, or I love to win,” Luai said.

“It’s probably natural, it’s not really something I have worked on.”

What has changed from last year is the personnel around Luai, not only with him, but against him too.

Luai will line up on a lethal left edge with Angus Crichton, Latrell Mitchell and Brian To’o, and instead of Gagai and Nanai, Queensland will have rookie Robert Toia and Reuben Cotter.

It’s also hard to forget a special reunion Luai has been able to take part in for the last four weeks.

Teaming back up with lifelong friends in Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo and Spencer Leniu, when all six friends play together, success has followed.

Having an unprecedented confidence, no matter what’s going on in the game, they are more than capable of coming out with a win.

“Being around Penrith so long, we were always in a game there, so that’s what wanted to bring over,” Luai said.

“Even that belief if we’re down on a scoreboard or don’t start well, 80 minuets is a long time.”

Luai and Nathan Cleary have achieved a lot together, but the one thing Luai has over him is winning an Origin III decider. Picture: Daly Telegraph / Dylan Coker

Luai can’t deny their success, but refuses to rely on previous achievements.

Another triumph together, this time in the Origin arena, will only enhance their legacy as a core group of the Panthers’ dynasty.

“It’s not about what we’ve done, it’s about what we need to do next week,” he said.

Now with a full camp under his belt, Luai has dialled into the few areas he felt were off in his return to the Origin arena, where he has a 5-6 record in his 11 games.

As it stands, he’s been a part of two series wins, and two series defeats.

“I probably didn’t start the way I wanted too, no excuses there, no excuses with the short prep or anything like that, probably just got my focuses a bit wrong,” Luai said

“Clicked into gear with our boys, we were able to fight back into that game and give ourselves a good opportunity to win it, but obviously it wasn’t meant to be.

“If we start a lot better, finish the way we did, I’m sure we will get the result on Wednesday.

“Trust the work you have done, trust the reps, and when the time comes to do it, you get it done.”

Originally published as For all the talk of Nathan Cleary needing to dominate Origin, Jarome Luai already has