Panthers famous person Jarome Luai has been labelled the “most polarising player” within the NRL after opening up about his “villain” tag.
The 26-year-old five-eighth’s identify is persistently within the headlines from each on-field incidents and off-field indiscretions.
Whether or not it’s standing over Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo, or publishing an unsavoury publish on Instagram — Luai is aware of how one can make followers indignant.
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His standing within the sport has earned him a repute, however Luai instructed the SMH he doesn’t “know what the villain role means”.
“I thought a villain was a guy who killed people. I’m not a murderer. I haven’t broken any rules,” he mentioned.
“I do what I need to do for my team to win. I create that energy and if that’s what it is, then that’s me in a nutshell – a villain.”
For league legend Braith Anasta, Luai is a key cog within the Panthers’ machine, which is on the verge of successful a third-straight premiership.
They face the Broncos on Sunday and are 80 minutes away from turning into the primary crew for the reason that 1981 Eels to do the three-peat.
“His captain loves it, his teammates love it, his coach loves it. If he tries to change that, it could have an impact on his performance,” Anasta mentioned.
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“I quite like the fact that he just backs himself. It doesn’t look great, we all know that and people don’t like it.
“But they are winning premierships.”
“I don’t like the way he acts, he’s a niggler and that’s his role… he pushes the envelope a lot,” Fox League’s James Hooper mentioned.
“But he doesn’t care, it makes him play better,” Anasta replied.
“What was alarming for me, was I thought it was an act. I thought he was there playing the villain,” league legend Gorden Tallis mentioned.
“But if that’s just him, good on him.”
For veteran rugby league reporter James Hooper, Luai is the sport’s most “polarising” participant.
Although he did reward the gun five-eighth for talking on his “villain” tag and opening as much as the media.
“I didn’t like what he did after the State of Origin game, I didn’t like his foolish social media post, I didn’t like the way he stood over Selwyn Cobbo,” Hooper mentioned.
“There’s some brilliant stories out of the Penrith Panthers… blokes out of St Marys and Mt Druitt, the things they do for the community.
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“Jarome Luai, whether he likes it or not, is the most polarising player in the game, people love to hate him.
“At least he finally fronted up and did an interview, we haven’t really heard from him since State of Origin.
“If you want to do the social media posts… just front up and get it over and done with.”
Meanwhile, halves accomplice Nathan Cleary mentioned Luai is “misunderstood” and defined he’s at his finest when within the opposition’s face.
“I think he’s tried to correct that perception, but now he’s given up,” Cleary mentioned.
I believe it’s at a stage the place it doesn’t matter what he does, individuals will all the time discover an issue with it. I believe individuals dislike him for what he does on the sphere, however that’s what we love about him.
“That energy and what he brings on field. Sometimes it might be niggle, and people see it as grubby, but that’s when he’s at his best.
“If he wasn’t to do that it would affect the way he plays. I think he’s embraced that villain role.
There’s always got to be a villain. I think it’s exciting for the game. Hate or love him, people still watch.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
