The 2020 state of origin squads are in, and NSW coach Brad Fittler dropped a bolter out of nowhere, with Penrith Panther’s fifth and eighth Jarome Luai selected from the 27-man roster.
Often overshadowed by halfback Nathan Cleary, Luai took off in 2020. He was reportedly in a fight with Matt Burton as the Panthers tried to take a long-term five-eighth place.
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Luai appears to have done the trick as he was an important part of the Panthers’ 17-game winning streak with 23 assists in 23 games this season that ended with a 26:20 loss to Melbourne.
Most pundits didn’t expect Luai to top the blues squad with Cody Walker, Jack Wighton and Luke Keary for the fifth-eighth role for NSW.
Luai was one of seven Grand Final players selected alongside teammates Cleary, rookie Stephen Crichton and Isaah Yeo for NSW, while Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane and Ryan Papenhuyzen joined the roster.
But the video has surfaced again in which Luai apparently picked Queensland over NSW.
In a carefree rapid fire for the Samoan World Cup team during the 2017 World Cup, in which Luai was the youngest player in the squad at the age of 20, he was asked, among other things, “NSW or Queensland”, without skipping a beat he replied “Queensland”.
While a lot has changed for Luai in the three years since this video was created, Fittler didn’t seem concerned about where his allegiances lie.
“I think his performance tonight will make him a future player for New South Wales and Penrith for a long time,” Fittler said on Nine’s post-match show.
“I think his games over the past few weeks have been great. He was one of the most energetic players.
“They know what energy is like in camp – sometimes it’s about finding the right balance between certain players and certain characters.”
After the grand finale, Luai admitted that he didn’t think he was good enough to play State of Origin.
“I am still very disappointed but very happy that the opportunity presents itself,” said Luai.
“It’s probably the tallest footy that can be played so excitedly to get in and experience that with the boys. Happy.”
After Laui played for Samoa thanks to his grandparents, he was asked for his comments saying “my heart is with Samoa” and wanted to establish the nation internationally, as Tonga had done in recent years.
“It showed that I wanted to play for Samoa and if NSW showed up, I would love to take the opportunity.
“I’m really grateful for that now and have the opportunity to go in there and experience something new.
“I think it’s something I thought I wasn’t good enough to play, so I never really thought about it.
“That’s what I’m excited about, I think it’s this opportunity, so I’m really grateful for it. It’s going to be a good time. “
2020 NSW STATE OF ORIGIN QUAD
Payne Haas (Broncos), Tyson Frizell, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes (Dragons), Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Clint Gutherson, Junior Paulo (Aale), Daniel Saifiti (Ritter), Damien Cook, Cameron Murray, Cody Walker ( Rabbitohs), Nick Cotric, Jack Wighton (Raiders), Boyd Cordner, Angus Crichton, Luke Keary, James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagle), Nathan Cleary, Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Isaah Yeo (Panther) ), Josh Addo-Carr, Dale Finucane and Ryan Papenhuyzen (storm).
2020 QUEENSLAND STATE OF ORIGIN SQUAD
Xavier Coates, Patrick Carrigan (Broncos), Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess (Cowboys), Ben Hunt, Josh Kerr (Dragons), Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt (Knights), Jaydn Su’a, Corey Allan, Däne Gagai (Rabbitohs), Dunamis Lui, Josh Papalii (Raiders), Jake Friend, Lindsay Collins (Roosters), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagle), Harry Grant (Tiger), Jai Arrow, AJ Brimson, Moeaki Fotuaika, Phillip Sami (Titans), Kurt Capewell ( Panther), Tino Faasuamaleaui, Brenko Lee, Cameron Münster, Christian Welch, Felise Kaufusi (Sturm).
STATE OF THE ORIGINAL SERIES
Game 1: Wednesday November 4 at 8:10 p.m. ADST @ Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Game 2: Wednesday 11 November at 8:10 p.m. ADST @ ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Game 3: Wednesday, November 18, 8:10 p.m. ADST @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
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