Jarome Luai dares his critics to ‘keep hating’ him as Penrith gun reveal he ‘loves the hate chat’

Jarome Luai has fired back at his critics, daring them to ‘keep hating’ after producing a vintage performance for Penrith on Friday night.

The Samoa international was at his scintillating best as the reigning premiers trounced the Sydney Roosters 48-4 at BlueBet Stadium.

Luai played a key role in the Panthers’ two premiership triumphs and has been a mainstay for New South Wales since making his State of Origin two years ago.

A lacklustre start to the season saw the Penrith gun’s place in the Blues team brought under scrutiny, but Luai revealed the criticism only served to spur him on. 

‘I just stripped it back and left all the outside noise behind and just wanted to enjoy some footy with my mates,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 

Jarome Luai has challenged his critics to ‘keep hating’ him after delivering a blistering performance as the Panthers thrashed the Roosters 48-4 on Friday

Luai had a hand in Penrith’s three first half tries and scored one of his own in the second half

‘I love the hate chat. I know I’m hated by a lot of media out there. They know who they are. Keep hating. I love that s**t.’

Luai had a hand in three of the Panthers’ first four tries and scored one of his own in the second half – his first of the season – as the reigning premiers thrashed the Tricolours.

The performance could hardly have come at a better time for Luai, whose spot as New South Wales five-eighth has appeared under serious threat from the in-form Nicho Hynes this season.

And the dazzling display against the Roosters came in front of New South Wales coach Brad Fittler, who was at BlueBet Stadium as part of Channel Nine’s commentary team. 

Few players in the game polarise like the energetic and competitive Luai but after Friday night’s performance, little doubt will remain as to his ability to control New South Wales’ left edge if called upon again.

Penrith and New South Wales teammate Nathan Cleary hoped the masterclass had put Luai’s detractors on notice.

‘I thought he was the best player on the field,’ Cleary said of his NSW and Panthers halves partner.

‘That’s my boy. I’ve always enjoyed playing alongside him and to see him do his thing tonight was pretty cool. 

Nathan Cleary (left) lashed out at the criticism his Penrith and NSW teammate has copped

Cleary (right) and Luai were part of the NSW team that won the 2021 State of Origin series

‘He just had that swagger about him. I love him when he’s like that. 

‘A lot of people want to talk about him negatively, so I hope there’s a lot talking about him positively tonight. He earned that.

‘Some of the criticism he cops […] It’s the game we play and he know that, but you talk about statements, I thought he put on a pretty good one.

‘[The criticism] is frustrating but at the end of the day, we can’t control it. You’ve just got to control the things you can control and I don’t think anything’s going to change in that regard.’

Luai remains hopeful to be selected in the Blues squad for Origin I later this month

Luai was pleased with the Panthers’ win but denied suggestions he had flicked the switch just as Origin selection pressure began to heat up.

‘People are saying I’m more motivated to play well now because Origin’s around the corner but I always want to play well,’ he said.

‘It’s a privilege to play right here with my brothers.

‘I just think every game is an important game for myself to play well.’