Luai also revealed he had leaned on Panthers’ teammate Nathan Cleary to learn the finer points of halfback play,and how he was happy to play on the left or right side of the field for the Blues.
Jarome Luai playing for the Blues in 2022.Getty Images
With Nicho Hynes struggling with an ongoing calf injury and unlikely to be picked for Origin I,Luai has firmed as the leading candidate for the NSW no.7 when the Blues squad is named.
Blues coach Michael Maguire is likely to name a 20-man squad on Sunday night but it may be delayed until Monday,due to a number of injury concerns.
Along with Hynes,key Penrith forward Liam Martin has been sent for scans on a hamstring injury,also suffered during the Panthers’ win over the Sharks on Saturday.
In some positive news for Maguire,Latrell Mitchell will still be available for NSW Origin selection if he accepts a $3000 fine for a grade one dangerous contact charge out of South Sydney win over Parramatta on Saturday night.
Latrell Mitchell is sent to the sin bin.Getty
Luai was axed for Origin III last year,and is as determined to return to the Origin arena – in any role.
“I always back myself in any situation,” Luai said on Saturday night,following Penrith’s 42-0 hammering of Cronulla.
“There are a lot of good players that will be picked in that[NSW] side. It’s in God’s hands now. Whatever happens,I’ll take it with both hands. If the opportunity comes,I’ll be ready to rock.
“I’m a left-footer,that’s why I’m comfortable on the left in terms of kicking. But if they need me to play right,I’ll play right. I love a challenge. Nothing really changes.”
Jarome Luai had an outstanding game against Cronulla on Saturday.
Just as he was the standout in a beaten Penrith side at Magic Round,Luai again stood tallest against the Sharks when playing halfback for Cleary who is overcoming a second serious hamstring injury.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary went as far to admit he had never seen Luai produce a better kicking game.
The 27-year-old Luai was glad Nathan was in his corner,and said of his priceless lessons:“Having the best player in the NRL definitely helps. I’ve asked him to watch my every move,and give me tips on what he looks for in teams,and when to do stuff.
“He’s been a big part of why I’ve been doing OK in this role.
“I know we’re different players,and we’re good at different things – I don’t want to try to be someone I’m not – but it’s more the mental things,the team management in that role – it’s something I can get better at.”
Ivan said of Luai’s expected Blues’ return:“If,as we all think,or hope,that he goes into Origin,he’s certainly going in feeling pretty good about his form,particularly about his kicking,which is an important factor in Origin.
“I think[he’s capable of wearing the NSW No. 7] as long as you keep him to his strengths. He’s more than ready,which he would have been anyway,but it’s nice to go in good form.”
Matt Burton is a potential halves option while Luke Keary,32,has the benefit of being that right-footer who can also play halfback or five-eighth,not to mention finally play Origin without a care in the world knowing he will retire at year’s end.
Martin will undergo precautionary scans on Sunday afternoon after a hamstring issue limited him to 40 minutes in the Panthers 42-0 thrashing of Cronulla.
Martin failed to return in the second half at PointsBet Stadium,but told this masthead:“It was just precaution. I was a bit tight. But I’ll be fine. I couldn’t feel anything out there,and there was no one incident. I’ll be ready to go.”
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