Jarome Luai pledges commitment to Samoa for World Cup

New South Wales half-back Jarome Luai has pledged his allegiance to his beloved Samoa for the World Cup at the end of the year.

The Penrith Panthers star was born and raised in Australia but has made no secret of his immense pride for his Samoan heritage.

Luai becomes the latest Panther to pledge his allegiance to Samoa for the end of year World Cup. He could line-up alongside his club team-mates Brian To’o, Izack Tago, Charlie Staines, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu in a star-studded Samoan squad this autumn.

On his commitment to his nation of heritage, Luai told NRL.com: “It is who I am, it is how I was bought up.

“I know I live in Australia but it is just a way of life for us. We are really connected to our Polynesian side as well.”

Luai has already won five caps for Samoa and played at the last World Cup, before even making his NRL debut. He also represented Samoa at the Nines World Cup in 2019.

Jarome Luai believes Samoa have the potential to emulate Tonga

Samoa’s Pacific neighbours Tonga have climbed the world rankings following a rise to international stardom.

Kristian Woolf’s side reached the semi-finals of the 2017 World Cup. They then secured historic victories over Australia and Great Britain in 2019.

Luai believes Samoa have the potential to emulate Tonga and be a force in international rugby league.

He told the Bloke In A Bar podcast: “That is probably the mindset for me right now. Looking at the talent that we’ve got across the board and in the NRL right now; and how many young guns there are that are Samoan – we can definitely rock it with the big guns.”

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