Penrith and New South Wales five-eighth Jarome Luai is drawing fire this morning after an ill-conceived Instagram post in response to his critics following the Origin defeat to Queensland.
Luai was sent off and later charged with striking after a dramatic conclusion to the match in Queensland, won 32-6 by the Maroons. The third clash of the series in Sydney is now a dead rubber.
Prior to that Luai had actually looked the most likely to create something for the Blues in what was a poor showing from Brad Fittler’s side that handed Queensland the series.
But it is a social media post that has raised eyebrows this morning.
In the hours after full-time last night, Luai put up a photo on his Instagram story looking despondent with the words: “Chill, all you idiots have work tomorrow morning”. It was followed by a range of laughing face emojis and accompanied by a backing track from 2Pac, ‘Me Against The World’.
It was savage takedown of his critics but poorly thought out.
Those ‘idiots’ Luai refers to head to work each day on a fraction of his salary and then contribute to his enormous contract at the Panthers as rugby league supporters.
2GB’s Ben Fordham suggested Luai should reconsider his social media use given it’s got him in hot water before.
“Jarome, put down your phone and get off social media. Give it a rest,” Fordham said.
“Don’t take the bait… this one is going to annoy people because it’s directed at fans.
“All you’re doing is attracting more haters.”
Jarome Luai pulling his laughing act at Reece Walsh while his side is getting lapped, then posts a condescending message to fans that have to work 5 days a week for a fraction of his salary.
You’ve got to have villains in rugby league but the bloke has zero self awareness 🤦♂️
— Mike Pearsall (@MikePearsall93) June 21, 2023
Fox Sports and SEN broadcaster Andrew Voss said he was baffled by the post.
“How do fans take this? My first reaction… surely doing a post on Instagram after defeat and series loss is not on your ‘to do’ list,” Voss said.
After the game last night, Luai admitted he was a “sore loser” and then emotion sparked the last minute incident with Walsh.
“Just a bit of emotion, I’m a sore loser as well so I am just disappointed man,” Luai told Fox Sports.
Punches and HEADBUTTS fly as Origin II ends with a BANG! 🥊
🖥️ #Origin II | Exclusive on Channel 9 and 9Now: https://t.co/Bll2LnrWOR#9WWOS #NRL pic.twitter.com/Xjju4NoRcF
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 21, 2023
“I just hate to lose, they won… it’s footy for me, what happens on the field stays on the field.”
Luai will fly back to Sydney today to prepare for Penrith’s clash with Newcastle on Saturday night.
Troy Dodds is the Weekender’s Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.
