This Sunday when Jarome Luai runs out for the NRL grand final, it will be his last dance with the Penrith Panthers, a team he has represented since he was a teenager.
The 27-year-old has a glittering list of achievements with the club, including three premierships, but 2024 has been a stand-out year.
Luai has reached career-high stats, contributing to his first-ever Dally M nomination for five-eighth of the year.
Next year, he will head to the Wests Tigers and will face his brothers from the other end of the field.
When the ABC asked him about his legacy at the Panthers, Luai didn’t talk about his footy achievements but reflected on being a role model for his community.
“I think the legacy that I’ve left is making the community happy,” he said.
“I’m from Mounty (Mt Druitt), this guy (Brian To’o) is from Mounty, there’s a lot of Polys here in this area so hopefully we’ve been a great inspiration for those guys as well.
“We take real pride in that — who we are and what we are for our communities. There’s a massive Polynesian base in our communities and I think us growing up coming through, we sort of knew if we made it, we’d be role models for the next generation.”
Biggest influence
Luai has played under Ivan Cleary and alongside some of the best players in the game, but one person has had a giant impact on his game: his mother, Raumako Luai.
“She’s had to play both roles for the main part of my footy. She’s my rock, even now that I’ve got three kids,” he laughed.
“She always puts her hand up when we need a break … and allows me to focus on footy when I need to, so she’s been awesome for me.”
Coming through the grades, his father Martin Luai was more of the coach: “A bit like the Rock; big, scary Samoan dude.” However, his mother has always been his cheerleader, not just in rugby league.
“Not only of what goes on here (at the Panthers), but she’s making sure that I’m a good man rather than a good player so that’s the balance there,” he said.
“I think just being the loud, confident guy I am, she’s always told me to stay humble and remember the work that not only I’ve done, but my grandparents and my ancestors.
“All the work that they’ve done, to make sure that I’m doing the right thing to honour what they’ve done for me to be here as well.”
Brotherhood
The Panthers are chasing a fourth NRL Premiership title when they go up against the Melbourne Storm on Sunday, and Luai joked that he hoped he was not alive to see their team’s 3peat or hopefully 4peat ever broken.
“We’ve got a few sons now, so I think they’ll sort of watch back and those guys will be the ones to break what we’ve built,” he said.
It’s the brotherhood within the team that has been a highlight for Luai at the club and a big value which he believes has led to the club’s successful run.
“It’s part of our culture and it’s something that if we didn’t have, we wouldn’t have done what we’ve done.”
“Coming into work every day, it’s not work, it’s like a school lunch coming here. It’s always fun and you’re laughing.
“You obviously do some hard work in and amongst that, but you’re doing some work with your brothers and that’s what it really feels here.”
His teammates agree, with winger Sunia Turuva saying Luai gives them confidence and energy on the field.
“I’m on his edge (the left edge) so it’s just the confidence he gives me each week, he’s a confident player as well, he’s vocal, he brings that energy,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter if the score’s against us, he still has that same energy. He’s always backing us and always there to give us a spray as well if we need it.”
To’o agreed, saying the way Luai trained and carried himself on the field brought the best out of everyone.
Off the field, To’o said Luai has also had a massive part in his life playing a big brother role.
“He’s done a lot for me personally and for my little family as well, so I give everything for him and I’d do anything for that guy.
“Truly grateful and blessed to have Romey and hopefully he can cut his hair as well.”
Although the friends will be lining up on opposite sides of the field next year, off the field, they launched a joint venture together at the end of 2023.
“For me and Bizza, for what we are to our community, if we can just start something, no matter what direction we go — obviously I’m leaving at the end of the year but if we can start something together it’ll always bring us back together you know?” explained Luai.
“So that was a big thing for me to do with him to make sure we stay connected.”