Hated, adored but never ignored.
Jarome Luai doesn’t care if you love him or you loathe him and, as he stands on the cusp of a third-straight premiership, the Penrith five-eighth is happy to be seen as the NRL’s public enemy No. 1.
“Oh, man, that’s okay with me,” Luai told AAP.
“I understand it, we’re in a fan-driven sport. People have their team that they go for and it’s understandable that I’m not going to be liked by everyone.
“Coming into first grade you want to be loved… but I pretty much found out after my first year, that whatever you say or do, there are going to be haters.”
Luai got the loudest boo when the grand final teams were presented to fans in Sydney on Thursday.
The Samoan international is a lightning rod for criticism and some of that, it could be argued, has been self inflicted.
After last year’s grand final win over Parramatta, he used an offensive term in a social media post and also mocked the Eels, labelling the Panthers their “daddies”.
That criticism only intensified after this year’s State of Origin when, after he had been part of a NSW side that lost the opening two games of the series, he hopped on Instagram to write: “Chill, all you idiots have work tomorrow”.
It was perceived as a dig at irate NSW fans after he had been sent off for headbutting Reece Walsh, but it was later revealed Luai had received death threats.
“It’s my platform, I should be able to say what I want to say,” Luai said.
“When I speak up for myself, people tend to say I’m the bad guy after they’ve sent all these messages.
“I’m just going to do what I want, and say what I want to say. I haven’t hurt anybody and haven’t broken any rules.”
The post was accompanied by a 2Pac song entitled “Me Against The World”, which reflects the obstacles Luai has had to overcome to reach Sunday’s grand final against Brisbane – his fourth in as many years.
“That’s been me, man, I’ve always had doubters,” Luai said.
“That’s always given me that extra motivational drive.”
Luai was axed for Origin III, a decision some would have taken to heart, going into their shell.
The Penrith No. 6, however, has played what he considers some of the best football of his career, his only loss coming against the Eels when he was taken from the field with a dislocated shoulder.
“It doesn’t take much for ‘Romey’ to get a fire in his belly,” said Penrith coach Ivan Cleary.
“He’s one of those guys who reacts well to a challenge.
“They all have to be (hugged) at some point but he’s a staunch fella, and very mentally strong.”
On the field, Luai is a maverick and a wind-up merchant in equal parts but above all else he hates losing.
Off it, he’s the complete opposite.
“He’s a good father and I think that’s all that matters to him,” said long-time Panthers teammate Brian To’o.
“My brother is bulletproof, man, nothing anyone says can hurt him. He’s just having fun out there.”
Luai is keen to silence those detractors once more and he can do so by helping Penrith to an historic premiership three-peat.
No team has won three-straight titles since Parramatta (1981-1983) and the fact he could achieve it with good mates Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu before they move on at the end of the year, gives him an extra drive.
“It’s something for us to chase, no club has done it before with a salary cap in place,” Luai said.
“It’s pretty sad (that those guys are leaving), I’m going to miss them man and I want to send them out on a good note.”
The grand final meeting with the Broncos is laced with sub-plots and spats, with Luai at the heart of most of them.
He and Brisbane fullback Walsh have had their differences, while Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo has previously labelled him a “grub”.
Sparks invariably fly when Luai is involved and as Cleary says, his five-eighth “loves the big occasion”.
The interest in him is such that grand final broadcasters, the Nine Network, will have a camera following his every move in Sunday’s decider.
While he may be hated and adored, it goes to show that Jarome Luai can never really be ignored.
Pure1
Roar Rookie
There would also be folks, also neutrals, swaying towards Penrith due to the Walsh factor. Also a skilful footballer but, viewed subjectively, may also be difficult to warm to.
ScouseinOz
Roar Rookie
I think the Luai thing is really boring. He keeps going on about not being bothered if he's liked or not. He obviously does, but then he can't help himself when he is on the field. He hasn't done anything off the field and seems like a decent guy. However, he does act like a tool on it. That's what fans see. Fans have always taken it too far since the 1900s in different ways in every sport around the world. There will always be idiots sadly that take it too far. If he wants to be liked well he needs to change on the field. He's literally best mates with Brian To'o, who is one of the most popular players in the NRL. Just copy the cool kid at school Jarome.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
and the eyebrows, Jeff.
Jeff Cook
Roar Rookie
RR It,s the nose.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I get where you’re coming from but I don’t think he posted out of context… it was reported out of context Initial reports conveniently skipped the fact that he was replying to garbage like death threats and his comments came across as oafish and entitled In context I have nothing but sympathy for him… on that matter at least
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I’m sure you’ll comment again soon , on something or someone that you’re easily ignoring. Then we’ll let you know. :laughing:
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
How'd I go?
Phil
Roar Rookie
I hope it's an absolute cracker of a game won by the better team without controversy.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
I can live with that Phil I get he's not everybody's cup of tea but no need for the hatred and vitriol that others go on with but don't have a problem with the way you see things. Hopefully players decide what should be a great GF
Full Credit to the Boys
Roar Rookie
It must be NRL 360 Awards Night - and the prize for the Biggest Small-Minded Dumbo goes to ... checks note ... STEWY 76.
Phil
Roar Rookie
As a neutral, a fence sitter for this game, I'm swaying towards Brisbane, hoping they win simply because of the Luai factor. I don't hate the bloke but just don't like some of his antics over the years. We all have our likes and dislikes in sport and the Penrith No6 is one of my dislikes. As good a player as he is I can't warm to him no matter how much I enjoy watching his team play.
Full Credit to the Boys
Roar Rookie
Yep, this character assassination of Luai only works for those for whom reason is a strange land. In a different age they'd be queuing up at public hangings or wearing a KKK mask,
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
On top of that pom he puts his name and face to his comments he doesn't anonymously hide on a forum behind multiple aliases'
The Barry
Roar Guru
*crickets* Hold on, he’s got to go and check what Fox sports say…
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
Have you considered Broncos lose and Luai wins .It could happen how would that make you feel
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
"the consequences of his actions". What "actions" are those exactly? I really don't get it. He says "chill you idiots" after they made death threats against him. He retaliated against Reese Walsh after Walsh head butted him first. After years of the Eels calling the Panthers their little brother he says "we are the daddies now". Just banter. Meanwhile Munster and Smith (now Holmes as well) are seen with white powder in some photos. Haas is arrested for intimidating a policeman. Fifita is in jail in Bali for three days. I actually don't think its a bid deal about the other players incidents. Young men get in trouble, it happens. But what I don't get is this attack by you on a guy whose main offence seems to be his banter and self confidence. What gives GB?
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Is this your deliberate attempt to win most ironic post of the year?
Stewy76
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure what would make me happier, watching the broncos winning a GF or Luai losing one.
blacktown leagues
Roar Rookie
I personally think its arrogant to pass judgement on a person who you do not know and have never met. This hatred is driven by a couple of so-called journos on fox and the sheep follow.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I’m intrigued by this comment. The post that seems to have deeply offended you was on his Instagram feed, in response to other posts in his Instagram feed, that included death threats. How is that not contextual? The way it was reported in some parts of the press was without context. Should Luai have understood that his comments might be reported in this way, and that people would be quick to believe it? I believe he does; reading the interview above and others he understands the role of the press and the way he is portrayed (which he seems bemused by and accepts rather than embraces). But I think he is pretty comfortable in his own skin and when he says he is going to play the villain what that means is he is going to not play by the rules set for him by the media. I think he understands that means he will be portrayed in the media in a certain way, and that there are idiots (potentially casually racist) who will lap it up.