New South Wales star Jarome Luai lifts the lid on shock hospital trip that could have derailed his hopes of playing in State of Origin III
Jarome Luai believes his body has sent him a warning to slow down, after spending three nights in hospital with fevers from a staph infection.
Luai bounded into NSW State of Origin camp on Monday, one day after leaving hospital with the infection that ruled him out of Wests Tigers' clash with Manly.
The 28-year-old is confident the issue won't impact his preparation given NSW don't train until Wednesday, but said he had been given a reminder to look after himself.
Luai said his infection came from a chest wound, following a fortnight where he'd been rushed into NSW camp, played in Origin II in Perth on Wednesday and then in Sydney two days later for the Tigers.
'I was probably a bit run down from backing up after Origin, you start to catch things a bit easier,' Luai said.
'At the time when I missed the Tigers game, in my head it was 'I need to get right'.
'But I found out then and there that sometimes you neglect your health and your body, you play injured or sick.
'Sometimes your body reminds you that your health is your wealth. That was the reminder for me.'
Luai said he had initially gone to hospital last Thursday aiming to recover in time to play the next day for the Tigers, before spending the next three nights in there.
'I got there and the doctor said it was a lot worse than what we thought it was,' Luai said.
'I had fevers, my whole chest was red and swollen.
'I am feeling a lot better now. I am grateful for that. You take for granted sometimes when you're in good health, so good to be back now.'
Luai also wanted to make clear that the infection came from a cut, and not a boil as had been previously suggested.
'When I saw the word boil I was like 'oh man, the boys are gonna roast me',' Luai said.
'Sometimes your body reminds you that your health is your wealth. That was the reminder for me,' Luai (second from right) said
'They're all giving it to me. I'll just cop that on the chin.'
NSW coaches had been willing to give Luai until Thursday to train for next Wednesday's series decider, while keen to avoid more disruption this week.
Brian To'o is already not expected to train on his injured knee until at least Saturday, with Jacob Kiraz on stand by to run on in his spot.
It comes after Mitch Moses was ruled out midway through camp before the game two defeat, 19th man Keaon Koloamatangi missed the trip to Perth with a fractured eye socket and Payne Haas, To'o and Nathan Cleary all battled injuries.
'Whether it did or not affect our preparation, it wasn't as smooth as what you would have liked,' coach Laurie Daley said.
'That's one of the reasons why, you know, Jacob's here as 18th man.
'We just thought we'd take all that stuff out of the equation and just go with what we think is the best 17 or 18.'
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Eating a diverse range of plants, limiting alcohol, keeping active and maintaining close relationships are all evidence-based ways to stay healthy as we age.
