MUNSTER, READY FOR LUAI
PANTHERS five-eighth Jarome Luai is relishing the chance to put another one over rival Cameron Munster before their blockbuster top-of-thetable showdown on Saturday night.
The pair, instinctive generals on the left side of the field, clashed in the 2020 grand final, and Munster went one up on his younger rival when the Storm won the premiership.
Luai had a win over Munster in Round 2 this year when the Panthers prevailed 12-10.
Then, before Luai’s Origin debut in Townsville last month, Munster said the Maroons needed to “make him realise how hard the Origin arena is”.
Instead, Luai schooled Munster and the Blues won 56-6 before wrapping up the series at Suncorp Stadium.
There has been a simmering feud and innuendo between the duo where what is unsaid or hinted at is as revealing as what is proclaimed.
Munster won a competition with the Storm in 2017 when Luai was 20 and coming through the grades at Penrith. The St Mary’s junior conceded Munster was a player he would give a mouthful to if required but was also a kindred spirit and a footballer he looked to for inspiration as a youngster.
“I did. Especially when I first came into grade, just with the instinctiveness he plays with,” he said.
“He has got a lethal left foot as well. He plays off the cuff and plays what he sees. He will definitely be one to watch for us this week.
“I do enjoy (the rivalry with Munster). He is one of the top five-eighths in the comp, but I don’t see him much out there
because we play on opposite sides of the field.
“There probably would be a few words exchanged if we were on the same side.
“I have had a bit to do with him and he is a real good guy off the field but a really hard competitor on it.
“I love competing against the best.”
Luai was far from his best in the 18-12 win over the Broncos on his return from a knee injury. The Panthers missed 66 tackles and Luai missed seven himself. The Storm will run riot at Suncorp Stadium if that is repeated.
“We have got a really good defensive coach in Cameron Ciraldo and he will be into us this week about it,” Luai said.
“I think we let each other down. We set really high standards for ourselves. We did get the win, but the vibe was that we weren’t on, especially defensively.
“We need to work on that, and if we don’t Melbourne will make us pay.”
The rivalry with the Storm is real and has Luai pumped for Saturday night.
“When the top two teams come together it is always going to be a fierce battle,” he said.
“I am pretty excited to be honest with you, especially after that performance (against Brisbane). I know the boys are going to get up for it.”