Jarome Luai lashes out over 'disrespectful' Joseph Suaalii furore
Penrith star Jarome Luai has hit out at criticism around Joseph Suaalii's decision to represent Samoa over Australia at the Rugby League World Cup.
Suaalii has found himself at the centre of a heated debate around national allegiances after turning his back on Mal Meninga's Kangaroos side to represent the country of his family's heritage.
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Making the decision more contentious is the fact that Suaalii has been part of NSW's State of Origin squad, with the 19-year-old calling it “one of the most difficult decisions” of his career.
League commentators such as NRL 360 host Paul Kent have insisted that players such as Suaalii should not be able to represent an Australian state, unless they also commit to the national side.
A loophole in eligibility criteria has allowed several Origin players to play both for their state and for a tier-two nation.
“The circumstances have changed. I applaud what these guys are doing playing for Samoa and Tonga, but you can’t have it both ways," Kent said.
“You can’t sit there and declare yourself to play for NSW and Queensland and not play for Australia.”
"He gets the promise of playing fullback for Samoa at the World Cup when he would have only at best been a winger for Australia because Tedesco is the fullback," Kent said.
“So he puts himself in the shopfront window and he has now begun the agitation to get himself out of the Roosters deal.
“I’m a fullback, I want to be considered as a fullback and I am going to negotiate as a fullback.”
That claim was met with incredulity by fellow NRL 360 panellist Brent Read, who labelled it "ridiculous".
Fellow NSW star Luai - another Origin player who has committed to playing alongside Suaalii for Tonga - also hit out at any such suggestions.
The Panthers five-eighth said it is "unfair" and "disrespectful" for critics to question the motives of players who choose to honour their family's ancestry.
Jarome Luai slams Joseph Suaalii criticism
“I think it’s unfair,” Luai told the NCA NewsWire.
“All he did was come out and speak his mind and gave reasons why he wanted to play for Samoa.
“People then came out and threw up other things about why he made that decision.
“It’s not about the money. It’s about wearing your heart on your sleeve and doing your last name proud. I’m sure everyone in that Toa Samoa squad is keen to do that.
“I just think it’s pretty crazy and disrespectful to him and his family and the hardships they had to go through to get Joey to where he is today.
“I think the biggest lesson out of all this is that people need to respect other people’s cultures.”
Luai is preparing for Penrith's grand final defence on Sunday after becoming a father for the third time on Monday.
The Panthers ace started grand final week beside partner Bailey Paris Toleafoa for the birth of baby Halo.
He returned for the club's fan and media day on Tuesday, before rushing to the hospital to help take Halo home for the first time.
With their baby initially due on Tuesday, the couple had long planned to accelerate the process if needed to ensure there was no clash with Sunday's decider against Parramatta.
In doing so, they avoided the situation that Luai's opponent Mitch Moses found himself in last week, when he missed attending the birth of his first child to play in Parramatta's preliminary final win in Townsville.
Now, the pair will mark up against each other in the title decider at Accor Stadium after rollercoaster weeks.
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