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Jarome Luai

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Jarome Luai
Personal information
Born (1997-01-16) 16 January 1997 (age 27)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionHalfback, Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018–24 Penrith Panthers 131 25 8 0 116
2025– Wests Tigers 0 0 0 0 0
Total 131 25 8 0 116
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017–24 Samoa 11 3 0 0 12
2019 Samoa 9s 4 1 1 0 6
2021 Māori All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
2021–24 New South Wales 10 2 0 0 8
Source: [1]
As of 6 October 2024

Jarome Luai (born 16 January 1997) is an Australian rugby league footballer who represents Samoa. He plays as a halfback for the Wests Tigers in the NRL (National Rugby League). He previously played for the Penrith Panthers, where he was a four time premiership winning player; he has also represented Samoa at test and 9's level, the NSW Blues in State of Origin and the Māori All Stars in the annual NRL All Stars match. He won the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 NRL Grand Finals with the Penrith Panthers.

Background

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Luai was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[2] His father is Samoan while his mother is part Māori, he also has English ancestry.[3] Luai's paternal grandparents were from Palauli, Samoa[4] He played his junior rugby league for the St Marys Saints before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.[5]

Playing career

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Early career

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Luai played games for the Penrith Panthers in the NYC between 2015 and 2017, scoring 13 tries and kicking 43 goals.[6]

Luai spent part of the 2017 season playing for Penrith in the New South Wales Cup.[7] Luai captained the Junior Kiwis in May 2017, scoring a try in their 46–22 loss to the Junior Kangaroos.[8]

Luai playing for Penrith in 2017

2017

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At the 2017 World Cup, Luai was the only member of the Samoan squad without any prior NRL experience. He speculated on his selection, saying "I think you'll find Tyrone May was in the squad originally but due to his injury there was a spot for me."[2] Luai made his Test debut against Tonga on 4 November 2017.[9]

2018

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Following an injury to Nathan Cleary, Luai was named to make his NRL debut off the interchange bench in round 4 of the 2018 NRL season.[10] However, he was cut from the line-up on gameday in favour of Wayde Egan, who was also on debut.[11] Luai made his NRL debut in round 10 against the Newcastle Knights, playing for 26 minutes off the interchange bench.[12] In round 17, Luai started at halfback in his second NRL match in the absence of Nathan Cleary and James Maloney due to State of Origin. His performance in the 36–4 win, which included two tries and multiple try assists, was heavily praised by the media.[13][14][15]

2019

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Luai made 13 appearances for Penrith in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table and missed the finals for the first time in four years.[16] Luai also represented Samoa playing hooker in their 24-6 win over PNG. And played halfback in their 44-18 loss to Fiji.

2020

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Luai had a breakout year for Penrith playing 23 games, scoring seven tries and bagging 23 try assists as Penrith claimed the Minor Premiership and reached the grand final against the Melbourne Storm, losing 26–20.[17] Luai's form throughout the season was rewarded with a spot in the New South Wales State of Origin 27 man squad although he did not play in the three game series.[18]

2021

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On 30 May, he was selected by New South Wales for game 1 of the 2021 State of Origin series.[19] Luai made his debut for New South Wales in game 1 where they defeated Queensland 50-6.[20] On 27 June, Luai was a part of the NSW side which defeated Queensland 26-0, sealing the series for 2021. However, Luai was ruled out of game three of the series after he suffered a knee injury in Penrith's round 16 win over the Parramatta Eels.[21]

Luai played a total of 25 games for Penrith in the 2021 NRL season including the club's grand final victory over South Sydney.[22]

2022

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In round 11 of the 2022 NRL season, Luai scored two tries for Penrith in a 32–12 victory over the Sydney Roosters.[23]

Luai played all three State of Origin games as New South Wales lost the series 2-1.[24][25] During the series, Luai verbally abused an unconscious Selwyn Cobbo, whist standing over him. The move prompted criticism, especially after Luai refused to apologise.[26]

Luai warming up for Samoa in 2022

Luai won the 2022 Premiership with Penrith in a 28–12 win over Parramatta in the Grand Final. Following the grand final victory, Luai once again mocked the Parramatta club through social media posing for a photo with the caption "Daddy loves you". Luai had previously referred to Penrith as Parramatta's "Daddy" four days out from the match.[27][28]

On 6 October, Luai mocked Parramatta player Ryan Matterson on social media after Matterson had mentioned Luai had gone unpunished in the grand final for allegedly kicking Isaiah Papali'i whilst Matterson was suspended for three games over a crusher tackle on Dylan Edwards.[29][30] Luai posted the words "Cry 4 U" on Instagram accompanied by three crying emojis, and the chorus to R&B star Kennyon Brown’s song "Cry 4 You".[31] This was followed by an Instagram story posted after the game, which contained a racial slur "nigga".[32] The Panthers' management subsequently stated that the term was used affectionately, which drew further widespread criticism.[33]

In October Luai was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[34]

Luai played every match of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup including the final against Australia in which Samoa were comprehensively beaten 30-10.[35]

In November he was named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament.[36]

2023

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On 18 February, Luai played in Penrith's 13-12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge.[37] On 22 May, Luai was selected by New South Wales for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series[38] which was ultimately lost to the Queensland side. In game 2, Luai was sent off just before the end of the match for alleged fighting as New South Wales lost the match 32-6, and therefore the series.[39] Following the game, Luai posted a message on his Instagram account which read “All you idiots have work tomorrow morning, We go again". Luai claimed it was in response to receiving death threats on social media following the match.[40] On 3 July, it was announced that Luai had not been selected by New South Wales for game 3 of the series.[41] In round 26, Luai was taken from the field early in the first half after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder during Penrith's 32-18 shock loss to Parramatta.[42] Luai played 22 matches for Penrith in the 2023 NRL season including the clubs 26-24 victory over Brisbane in the 2023 NRL Grand Final as Penrith won their third straight premiership.[43]

2024

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On 3 January, Luai announced he signed a five-year deal with the Wests Tigers, commencing in 2025.[44] On 26 May, Luai was selected by New South Wales ahead of the 2024 State of Origin series.[45] Luai played in all three games as New South Wales won the series 2-1.[46] Luai played a total of 24 matches for Penrith in the 2024 NRL season. On 6 October, he won the 2024 NRL Grand Final with the Penrith club, the fourth consecutive premiership victory for the side. This was also his final appearance with the team prior to his move to the Wests Tigers.[47]

Honours

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Club

Representative

Statistics

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Year Team Games Tries Goals Pts
2018 Penrith Panthers 4 2 8 24
2019 13
2020 23 7 28
2021 25 2 8
2022 20 7 28
2023 22 3 12
2024 24 4 16
2025 Wests Tigers
Totals 131 25 8 116

References

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  1. ^ "Jarome Luai". Rugby League Project.
  2. ^ a b Newton, Alicia (6 October 2017). "Panther Luai bolts into Samoa side". NRL.com. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  3. ^ "State of Origin 2021: 'He's just scratching the surface' - Parents' pride for NSW rookie star Jarome Luai". Newshub. 8 June 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Toa Samoa rookie proud to be home". Samoa Observer. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  5. ^ Media, NRL Digital. "Jarome Luai". Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  6. ^ "L". NYC Database. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Jarome Luai". NSWRL.com.au. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Junior Kangaroos thrash Junior Kiwis at GIO Stadium". Fox Sports. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Tonga outclass Samoa in Rugby League World Cup thriller in Hamilton". Stuff. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  10. ^ "Tamou's Panthers bracing for fired-up Cowboys". Townsville Bulletin. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  11. ^ Morris, Dylan (27 March 2018). "Cowboys v Panthers: Cleary replacements named". NRL.com. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  12. ^ Pavey, James (6 July 2018). "Who is Jarome Luai? Stand-in Penrith Panthers playmaker lauded by coach, fans". Sporting News. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  13. ^ "Penrith Panthers score 36–4 NRL win over Warriors, as rookie Jarome Luai stars". ABC. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  14. ^ Newton, Alicia (6 July 2018). "Rookie No.7 Luai stars in big win over Warriors". NRL.com. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  15. ^ Read, Brent (7 July 2018). "Panthers unveil another star at No 7 in Jarome Luai against Warriors". The Australian. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  16. ^ "Panthers: 2019 season by the numbers". www.nrl.com.
  17. ^ "Melbourne Storm beat Penrith Panthers as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
  18. ^ Chris Kennedy (26 October 2020). "2020 Origin squads: NSW, Queensland announce several new faces". www.nrl.com. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  19. ^ "NSW Origin team: Luai gets nod for Freddie's fresh-faced Blues". www.nrl.com.
  20. ^ "NSW Blues win State of Origin series opener 50-6 against Queensland Maroons". ABC. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Blues lose Jarome Luai to knee injury ahead of State of Origin III". www.abc.net.au. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  22. ^ "One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season". www.theguardian.com.
  23. ^ "Jerome Luai sends Origin message in Penrith win". www.espn.com.
  24. ^ "Queensland Maroons surge to win dramatic State of Origin series decider against NSW Blues". www.theguardian.com.
  25. ^ "Wighton starts at centre as Blues confirm lineup for Game One". www.nrl.com.
  26. ^ "Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai not sorry for taunting unconscious Selwyn Cobbo". www.espn.co.uk.
  27. ^ "We hate Parra as Panthers mock Eels as Koroisau pokes fun at Tigers". www.smh.com.au.
  28. ^ "'Parra are our sons': Panther's cheeky Eels sledge as stars run riot, Luai has another dig". www.foxsports.com.au.
  29. ^ "Penrith ace under fire after 'grubby' act missed by referees in NRL grand final". 7NEWS. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  30. ^ "Jarome Luai accused of 'dirty' act as grand final incident comes to light". au.sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  31. ^ "'Cry 4 You': Panthers star trolls Matterson as $600k Eels forward slammed over selfish call". www.foxsports.com.au.
  32. ^ "Panthers star under fire over deleted Instagram post". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  33. ^ "Panthers star 'big chance of missing' World Cup games as sanction looms over deleted post". Fox Sports. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  34. ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  35. ^ "Australia 30-10 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup final – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
  36. ^ Samoan domination as unlikely halfback earns No.7 jersey: WC Team of the Tournament
  37. ^ "St Helens: World Club Challenge win 'seismic for British rugby league'". www.bbc.co.uk.
  38. ^ "Graham ruled out for Blues, trio to debut as Fittler makes 'gamble'". www.nrl.com.
  39. ^ "Walsh stuns in masterclass as DCE delivers in big moment again: QLD Player Ratings". www.foxsports.com.au.
  40. ^ "Jarome Luai says 'idiots' message was response to death threats over State of Origin headbutt". www.theguardian.com.
  41. ^ "'That is rude': Brandy fumes at 'disrespectful' call amid fiery Blues Origin III selection grilling". www.foxsports.co.au.
  42. ^ "Luai anomaly to frighten Panthers fans as star set for sideline stint; Gutho's captain's knock - Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
  43. ^ "NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
  44. ^ https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/jarome-luai-spills-beans-on-6-million-contract-storm/news-story/1313d25ebaeeebee6f93241af6abfdca [bare URL]
  45. ^ "Blues name six rookies, new captain for Origin opener". www.nrl.com.
  46. ^ "Eels' worst fears; image Kevvie won't want to see in Broncos' brutal Origin blow — Late Mail". www.foxsports.com.au.
  47. ^ "NRL grand final 2024 quick hits: Biting allegation, Panthers halves swansong and a controversial bunker decision". www.abc.net.au.
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