Jarome Luai has vowed to silence the critics who have been “quick to forget” what he and Nathan Cleary are capable of as they look to salvage the Blues’ State of Origin hopes.
The halves combination guided the Panthers to a premiership and NSW to an Origin series victory last year. The Blues lost game three when Cleary and Luai were not playing.
Five-eighth Luai says he was amused by the negativity directed their way after Cleary found himself in the firing line following the loss in the series opener. Now the pair have fired a warning shot after starring in a return to the NRL as Penrith pummelled the hapless Newcastle Knights.
“It’s a reminder to everyone who is criticising Nath a bit. I think they’re pretty quick to forget what we can do at our best. I just can’t wait to keep proving to them what we can do out there,” Luai said.
“That’s what I’m laughing about, the negativity. People are saying they need to change the whole squad around. Within our four walls, we’re confident in our ability to get the job done and there’s two more games. There’s not much to be down about.
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai are determined to bounce back.Credit:Getty Images
“In terms of the game, I thought we fought to the death. Obviously disappointed because we didn’t get the win and it was in front of the home crowd as well. Positive thinking in that there’s still two more games in Origin and the sun comes up the next morning.
Luai will pick his state over Samoa with the return of Test football set to coincide with game two of the Origin series later this month.
Brad Fittler says Daniel Tupou has committed to the Blues for a must-win game in Perth, bypassing the chance to play for Tonga in a mid-season Test against New Zealand.
Manly coach Des Hasler has urged Haumole Olakau’atu to skip Tonga’s clash with the Kiwis and instead make himself available for the Blues.
Luai says he would have made himself available for Samoa’s clash with Fiji at Campbelltown Stadium if it hadn’t clashed with Origin, but he is keen to get into camp to aid the Samoan side’s preparations should the opportunity arise.
“I’ll probably play Origin if I get the opportunity. That’s where I stand on that,” Luai said. “If it didn’t clash with Origin, I’d be there for Samoa, no doubt. The good thing about it is there’s a World Cup after. We can represent Origin and then our country of choice.
“I was born here. I grew up heavily around the culture and I was around my grandparents a lot on my dad’s side, they’re Samoan. I grew up in the Samoan church so it definitely means a whole lot to me.
“If I can get into camp and provide some insight for the boys, that would be pretty cool. We’ll see how we go.”
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