Jarome Luai breaks silence on furore over grand final celebrations
Penrith's Jarome Luai has offered an apology over his controversial grand final celebration post that sparked outrage across the rugby league world.
The star five-eighth landed in hot water for his use of the n-word in a social media post, accompanying a photo of himself with teammate Jaeman Salmon.
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The NRL Integrity Unit launched an investigation into the incident, with fears he may be banned for Samoa games at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
Luai has since been cleared to play at the tournament, despite being condemned across the rugby league world for his deleted post.
“It’s a well known racial term which Penrith claim is a term of endearment, which is ridiculous,” NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent said about it at the time.
“Honestly, at some point these blokes have got to be asked to act like men. They’re carrying on like 16-year-old schoolboys the way they’re caring on with this victory."
Speaking to Channel Nine, Luai accepted that he made a mistake by using the controversial term before he promptly deleted the social media post.
“I realised when I woke up to the phone call, I knew to take it down straight away,” he said.
“I know it caught a few headlines. I’m just grateful that I get to participate in the first couple of games (at the World Cup).
The premiership-winning star explained that he was simply trying to "embrace" his teammate, but understood why the post caused uproar.
“One hundred percent, and that’s why I understand it was the wrong thing to do and the wrong thing to post,” he said.
“With the influence we have as big NRL players we need to watch what we say and that’s definitely a lesson learned for me.”
Luai also hit back at suggestions the Panthers were bad winners, after he and Penrith teammates were branded "arrogant" by sections of the league community.
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The five-eighth has been at the centre of much controversy in the aftermath of the Panthers' triumph, with some accusing him of disrespecting the Eels by referring to Penrith as their 'daddies'.
He also responded to Parramatta rival Ryan Matterson's comments about a grand final incident involving Isaiah Papali'i, reposting them on social media with three crying emojis and Kennyon Brown’s song 'Cry 4 You'.
Panthers forward James Fisher-Harris also referred to the Eels as Penrith's "sons", before declaring the current side to be “the greatest Penrith team ever”.
Luai says the Panthers are just keen to enjoy their incredible period of success, and insists the hate from rival league fans only motivates them further.
“I’ve sort of got a saying for myself: ‘If you’re not hated, you’re not doing it right’ so i’m sort of embracing that,” he said.”
“We are just being who we are as people. I know whoever knows us face to face and person to person knows we are good people.
“We are just enjoying this ride.”
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