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Opinion
It absolutely stinks that Jarome Luai did not get sanctioned for his first use of the N-word in a public forum, particularly when compared with Caitlin Moran’s punishment, and now that he’s done it again, the NRL simply has to act.
As part of Penrith’s NRL Grand Final celebrations, Luai had some fun on social media by posting pictures of himself with the trophy, pictures of him smoking cigars and another of him celebrating in the dressing sheds.
He decided to use the N-word in a post with a teammate.
In response to the photo, which Luai later took down, the NRL said its Integrity Unit would investigate.
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Since then, we’ve heard crickets and he was quietly not sanctioned at all by his club or head office.
A couple of days ago footage emerged on social media of Luai at teammate Brian To’o’s wedding. He was part of the bridal party and when it came to speech time, which was being live-streamed on YouTube, Luai decided to wing it so it could be more natural, coming up with the words there and then.
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)
And in referring to To’o he again decided to drop in the N-word.
I am not an expert on Pasifika or Polynesian culture. Some have suggested to me that in Pasifika and Polynesian culture, there is history with this word. Perhaps if a Samoan person uses that word, it has different impact or meaning than if I, a white woman said it.
The people that are making this point are suggesting that when it comes to Luai, there is an additional cultural lens which the issue must be considered through.
I absolutely accept that. In a world where people come from different countries, ethnicities and backgrounds, it is important that we begin to consider the world through these different lenses and come forward with an attitude of curiosity. The diversity in the game is one of the reasons that I love social media so much.
But, if we need to apply a different lens to consider Luai’s behaviour, my question is why was this same opportunity not afforded to Moran?
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
She is a Indigenous Gomeroi and Anaiwan woman who played for the Newcastle Knights in the NRLW last season. Just like all the other NRLW players, because a CBA has not been finalised for next year, she is without a contract for 2023 with there still being uncertainty on what the salary cap is and when the season will kick off.
But back to Moran and her social media.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Moran posted on social media, sharing her feelings towards the Queen. It is fair to say that those feeling were not positive.
Did I agree with what Moran said? No. Do I think that potentially it could have been said in a more delicate way? Yes.
But do I also recognise I cannot possibly understand how Moran and other Indigenous people felt towards the monarchy, given this country’s colonialist history. To understand how Moran and other Indigenous Australians felt, a different lens needed to be used. In fact, similar feelings were shared by prominent people in countries like India and Jamaica also.
But a different lens was not looked through and the usual stale and pale commentators went to town.
One commentator called Moran’s post “the most reprehensible thing he had ever seen in rugby league”. Isn’t that astounding – in a sport that in 2022 has seen Brett Finch plead guilty to child abuse charges, Moran’s post was considered more reprehensible.
The action that the NRL took against Moran was swift.
Moran was fined 25 per cent of her season’s salary and received a one-game suspension. In a six-week season, this would almost be the same as Luai being banned for six games.
Moran and Luai have each brought the game into disrepute with their behaviour. No one can debate that, given that if Moran or Luai said what they have said on the Channel 9 broadcast, there would be uproar or at least deep concern about the impact.
So why were the approaches taken so different?
Are the situations different because Luai is male and Moran is female? Is it because Luai plays in the NRL and Moran in the NRLW? Is it because Luai has a bigger profile?
Or is it more sinister, is it because Moran is a young Indigenous woman with very little bargaining power compared to a player like Luai on a multimillion-dollar contract?
Or is it more pathetic than that and only because the media decided to come down hard on Moran and not on Luai?
Whatever the reason, it absolutely stinks.