Jarome Luai says he's committed to Wests Tigers. But will he be there for the long term?
'I feel for Benji, the players and the club. A lot of it is unwarranted. We haven't been getting the results, but we've been in most of the games we play in.
'I know for a fact, being there now, this club is heading in the right direction. A lot of good stuff we are doing is not getting the praise it deserves.
'I'm not surprised [by the intense interest] because I've been on the outside looking in, and it's happened [for] a while.
'It's about being in the driver's seat now, and how do I help the boys within the four walls not buy into it. That's been my main focus.'
As for being able to block out the noise ahead of next Wednesday's Origin decider, Luai said: 'It's probably been refreshing to come back into this team and not feel that media pressure that's been going on.
'It's refreshing, but at the same time, I'm still feeling for the boys, especially when I'm not there, and they're still getting hammered [in the media].
'I message all the boys and coach a lot, and check on them.
'I missed last weekend [against Manly]. I only got out of hospital on Sunday. I needed to get into [review] and apologise to the boys because I should have been there. My health didn't allow me to do it.
'When I get back there after Origin, I'll make sure I tighten up the screws, and we can hopefully make a good push for the finals.'
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NSW have scored six of their eight tries in the opening two games down their left edge, including four in Perth in game two when Luai combined with Latrell Mitchell, Angus Crichton and Brian To'o.
'It's a big part of my responsibility to get them the ball in great positions to let them do their stuff,' Luai said.
'We did a fair job of that in game two. Maybe we could have gone back there the last 10 minutes, and maybe iced the game there, but we've got a great opportunity in front of us to not miss that again.'
To'o, Haas to rejoin Blues training on Monday
Brian To'o and Payne Haas are expected to rejoin the main Blues training group on Monday and NSW prop Stefano Utoikamanu has shaken off a niggling calf complaint.
To'o and Haas went through a series of drills on the sideline in Leura on a blustery Saturday morning as they attempt to overcome knee and lower-back injuries.
Penrith winger To'o suffered a grade-two lateral ligament tear in his left knee against the Bulldogs last Thursday week, and NSW medicos are happy to take the conservative approach with him in the countdown to Wednesday's Origin decider. Monday's session at the Blues' Sydney Olympic Park base will be 12 days since To'o picked up the injury.
Haas stayed in Brisbane last Monday to be treated by Broncos staff, and received a cortisone injection in his lower back, a problem he has managed all season.
Meanwhile, Utoikamanu underwent a series of tests while in front of team physio Eddie Farah on Saturday. The front-rower gave the Blues' the thumbs up and completed the full session.
Jarome Luai was backing one of his best friends To'o to have an impact on Wednesday, regardless of how much training he can complete, and said: 'We all know what Bizza is like, we know what he can do, what he's capable of, and if he's right for game day, he'll do a good job for us.
'He's obviously not 100 per cent, but the love he has for this jersey and for his brothers, he'll suit up and get the job done if he can.'
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3 hours ago
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News.com.au
18 hours ago
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Tips and inside mail for racing at Wagga on Monday
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The Advertiser
20 hours ago
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Even NSW back 'legendary' Papalii's Origin swansong
Even NSW's players can concede that bringing Josh Papalii out of representative retirement for the State of Origin decider has the makings of a Queensland masterstroke. Papalii's mission on July 9 is deceptively simple: turbo-charge both the belief of the inexperienced players and the physicality of the Maroons' pack. But NSW forward and Canberra teammate Hudson Young admits he was a little surprised to see Papalii accept coach Billy Slater's call to arms. The 33-year-old has a new-born baby at home and had retired from the Origin arena ahead of the 2023 series, focusing solely on current NRL ladder leaders the Raiders thereafter. But with the series on the line in Sydney, Papalii's comeback could hardly come at a more crucial time for Queensland. "He's been saying they've been trying to get him for a few years," Young told AAP. "To be honest, I was surprised he took the offer up. He's obviously been a great player for such a long time. His form this year has been incredible, it's well-deserved. "He probably wants to challenge himself one more time." Papalii filled a similar role as elder statesman on Samoa's run to a fairytale first World Cup final berth in 2022. It's how NSW's Samoan contingent know his inclusion for Queensland will be bigger than just what he can offer on the paddock. "He's definitely going to add more value to that team," NSW winger Brian To'o told AAP. "I think that's something that really inspires not just the Samoan boys, but everyone. I know all the Samoan boys really look up to him. "He's legendary in our culture. I know that he will definitely showcase that for the Maroons as well." Samoa and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai predicted Papalii's 24th and final Origin game would carry extra significance given a possible move overseas next season. Papalii has already confirmed he will not be at the Raiders next year and has yet to sign elsewhere for 2026, though has been linked with English club St Helens. "It's a bit of a last ride for him," Luai said. "To have an experienced guy like that who's done it all in the game, he's played at a high level for so long, he can speak of his experiences, I think even being around the group, it'll be a lot better. "I'm sure he'll get up for it, the boys will get up for it for him." Even NSW's players can concede that bringing Josh Papalii out of representative retirement for the State of Origin decider has the makings of a Queensland masterstroke. Papalii's mission on July 9 is deceptively simple: turbo-charge both the belief of the inexperienced players and the physicality of the Maroons' pack. But NSW forward and Canberra teammate Hudson Young admits he was a little surprised to see Papalii accept coach Billy Slater's call to arms. The 33-year-old has a new-born baby at home and had retired from the Origin arena ahead of the 2023 series, focusing solely on current NRL ladder leaders the Raiders thereafter. But with the series on the line in Sydney, Papalii's comeback could hardly come at a more crucial time for Queensland. "He's been saying they've been trying to get him for a few years," Young told AAP. "To be honest, I was surprised he took the offer up. He's obviously been a great player for such a long time. His form this year has been incredible, it's well-deserved. "He probably wants to challenge himself one more time." Papalii filled a similar role as elder statesman on Samoa's run to a fairytale first World Cup final berth in 2022. It's how NSW's Samoan contingent know his inclusion for Queensland will be bigger than just what he can offer on the paddock. "He's definitely going to add more value to that team," NSW winger Brian To'o told AAP. "I think that's something that really inspires not just the Samoan boys, but everyone. I know all the Samoan boys really look up to him. "He's legendary in our culture. I know that he will definitely showcase that for the Maroons as well." Samoa and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai predicted Papalii's 24th and final Origin game would carry extra significance given a possible move overseas next season. Papalii has already confirmed he will not be at the Raiders next year and has yet to sign elsewhere for 2026, though has been linked with English club St Helens. "It's a bit of a last ride for him," Luai said. "To have an experienced guy like that who's done it all in the game, he's played at a high level for so long, he can speak of his experiences, I think even being around the group, it'll be a lot better. "I'm sure he'll get up for it, the boys will get up for it for him." Even NSW's players can concede that bringing Josh Papalii out of representative retirement for the State of Origin decider has the makings of a Queensland masterstroke. Papalii's mission on July 9 is deceptively simple: turbo-charge both the belief of the inexperienced players and the physicality of the Maroons' pack. But NSW forward and Canberra teammate Hudson Young admits he was a little surprised to see Papalii accept coach Billy Slater's call to arms. The 33-year-old has a new-born baby at home and had retired from the Origin arena ahead of the 2023 series, focusing solely on current NRL ladder leaders the Raiders thereafter. But with the series on the line in Sydney, Papalii's comeback could hardly come at a more crucial time for Queensland. "He's been saying they've been trying to get him for a few years," Young told AAP. "To be honest, I was surprised he took the offer up. He's obviously been a great player for such a long time. His form this year has been incredible, it's well-deserved. "He probably wants to challenge himself one more time." Papalii filled a similar role as elder statesman on Samoa's run to a fairytale first World Cup final berth in 2022. It's how NSW's Samoan contingent know his inclusion for Queensland will be bigger than just what he can offer on the paddock. "He's definitely going to add more value to that team," NSW winger Brian To'o told AAP. "I think that's something that really inspires not just the Samoan boys, but everyone. I know all the Samoan boys really look up to him. "He's legendary in our culture. I know that he will definitely showcase that for the Maroons as well." Samoa and NSW playmaker Jarome Luai predicted Papalii's 24th and final Origin game would carry extra significance given a possible move overseas next season. Papalii has already confirmed he will not be at the Raiders next year and has yet to sign elsewhere for 2026, though has been linked with English club St Helens. "It's a bit of a last ride for him," Luai said. "To have an experienced guy like that who's done it all in the game, he's played at a high level for so long, he can speak of his experiences, I think even being around the group, it'll be a lot better. "I'm sure he'll get up for it, the boys will get up for it for him."
