NRL finals 2022: Why Jarome Luai’s newborn baby, due Monday, is the perfect way to prepare for the grand final
A perfectly timed distraction, disguised as a tiny bundle of joy: Penrith Jarome Luai set to welcome third baby, three days after Eels’ Mitchell Moses missed birth of his daughter.
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Penrith star Jarome Luai will have a different way of calming his nerves in NRL grand final week — and it will come in the form of a tiny bundle of joy.
Luai’s partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa is due to give birth to the couple’s third child, a baby girl, today.
Six days later, Luai will line-up in Penrith’s third-straight grand final as the powerhouse club looks to secure back-to-back premierships with a victory against Parramatta.
It comes after opposing playmaker, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses, missed the birth of his first child to line up in Friday’s preliminary final against North Queensland in Townsville, helping steer his side to a nailbiting win in enemy territory.
Luai is unlikely to get caught up in the emotion of the grand final build-up, with his mind squarely focused on the newest addition to his young family.
“I’m pretty chill to be honest, especially with big games. My missus is having our third baby (on Monday) so I’m looking forward to that,” Luai told the ABC.
“So that takes away a bit of that emotion as well.
“I’m looking forward to my next baby girl but God willing she arrives safely and I can just focus on that right now.”
The latest arrival to the Luai household is sure to keep the hands of the young parents full.
The couple’s youngest child, Akira, is only 10 months old. The oldest, Izzy, turned four earlier this year.
Luai and Akira were pictured sharing a touching moment at full-time after Penrith booked their spot in Sunday’s grand final with a 32-12 victory over South Sydney.
Leaning back against the goalpost pads, Luai let Akira soak in the post-match atmosphere and — judging by the huge smile on her face — she didn’t mind it one bit. And while Luai is expecting to meet his new daughter today, his rival Mitchell Moses spent the weekend getting to know his own newborn daughter. His partner Bri Gardoni had the baby about four hours before kick-off in Friday’s preliminary final against the Cowboys.
After watching one of the most significant moments of life over a video call — 2000 kilometres away from Ms Gardoni — Moses then got the job done for the Eels on the field in the biggest game of his NRL career to date. He then got on the Eels’ charter plane and jetted straight home to Sydney in the early hours of Saturday morning to spend time with his new family member.
“It’s been a rollercoaster,” Moses said.
“I lost my grandmother last week and we laid her to rest on Monday.
“I had to meet my first child over Facetime … to now play in a grand final next week …”
The No.7 was overcome with emotion at the full-time siren after the Eels sealed their place in the decider.
Moses’ focus will today switch to helping Parramatta break a 36-year title drought, with the club to put on an open training session for fans at their Kellyville training base from 9am.
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Originally published as NRL finals 2022: Why Jarome Luai’s newborn baby, due Monday, is the perfect way to prepare for the grand final
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