Confidence key for Luai regardless of role for Blues

Blues playmaker Jarome Luai said he's got a renewed confidence ahead of the Ampol State of Origin series after stepping up to lead Samoa in their stunning run to a World Cup final last year. 

One of three playmakers selected in Brad Fittler’s 17 for Wednesday’s series opener, the two-time premiership winner added regardless of where he fits in for the Blues he knows exactly what his role will be in the side - to lift the energy. 

While some question Luai’s ability as a playmaker without NSW teammate Nathan Cleary, the 26-year-old said Samoa's success will allow him make his own mark on this year’s series, regardless of who he stands next to on the field.

“At the World Cup I had to be that guy to lead the team and I relished that role and loved it,” Luai said at Blues training.

“I love playing footy and love learning new things. I exceeded my expectations with where we went with Samoa at the World Cup but that’s behind us now and we have a different beast in front of us.

Making the boys around me be their best – that’s my role here

Jarome Luai Blues playmaker

“I think I had to take a lot of control in that side (Samoa), but in this side we have players like Nathan (Cleary) and Teddy (Tedesco) around.

“So I’ve just got to nail my role and focus on my role here rather than try and control it all.

“We play with each other very well and we obviously have that combination so when we’re playing together, our roles are pretty locked in, and we know what to do."

Luai could be set for a switch to hooker during the match with Nicho Hynes - who the Panthers five-eighth had to fend off for his starting Blues spot - waiting in the wings on the bench. 

With Api Koroisau the only hooker selected in the Game One squad and having relieved Damien Cook at hooker in the 2021 series, Luai was willing to do that.

It wasn't lost on the Panthers premiership-winner that he and Hynes, who he played NSW touch football with as a teenager, would now team up together after months of competing with each other for a Blues jersey in 2023.

"It wasn’t a relief [to retain the No.6 jersey] but a reminder to myself that it’s a blessing to be here," Luai said.

"There’s always some pressure knowing that being in such a big team there is someone there to take your spot if you don’t perform.

"It’s mad to play with him now, Nicho is a freak of a player and to take the field with him it’s going to be pretty cool.

“I’ve played a lot of nine in a Panthers jersey. Ivan got me in the middle there for a couple of stints and I’ve played nine for 20 or 30 minutes in a Blues jersey too.

“I’ve got experience there and if Freddy needs me to do that then I will.

“If Api goes down then Nicho or myself can fit in there, or even Cam Murray might go there as well. There’s lots of options we have but we just want to make sure we nail those roles just in case.”