You know Jarome Luai is a pretty big deal when the Samoan prime minister wants to meet to discuss leadership, rugby league and the Penrith Panthers.
That was the opportunity that presented itself to Luai as he spent a few days on the Pacific island for a wedding over the weekend.
The Wests Tigers-bound Luai returned to Sydney on Tuesday night, attended Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton’s wedding on Thursday, then completed a 45-minute training session in Maroubra before boarding a flight to England for Samoa’s two-Test series.
Luai said he was on Taumeasina Island with his partner, Bailey, when he realised the celebrant was Rugby League Samoa president, Fiu Faaolatane Ponifasio Vasa.
Vasa introduced the new Samoan captain to a number of dignitaries, then organised a special meet-and-greet with Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa the following day. Luai took part in a question-and-answer that was filmed and posted on the government’s official Facebook page.
Jarome Luai with Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi MataʻafaCredit: Government of Samoa
“I was pretty nervous,” Luai said about meeting the PM.
“She told me that being a captain and a leader is a big responsibility – and there was no better person to talk to about leadership than the prime minister.
“I sat there in a nice room in Parliament House. I brought my missus [Bianca] along with me, and she got to witness it all and be a part of it all. It was pretty special.
“Manu Samoa is their big [rugby] team, but they haven’t been going too well. So she was betting on us to be the new face of Samoan sport. [Knowing that] only gives us more motivation to do well.
Jarome Luai poses with his teammates after training in Sydney on Friday.Credit: Rhett Wyman/SMH
“She knew who all the boys were. I’m not too sure if she follows the NRL. But I think she told me she goes for Penrith because so many of the Samoans play for Penrith. It was pretty cool.”
Samoan coach Ben Gardiner, an assistant coach with the Panthers, broke the news to Luai about being captain as they celebrated their fourth straight NRL premiership in the sheds beneath Accor Stadium.
To prove how serious he was about staying fresh for the national side, Luai resisted drinking at Crichton’s wedding.
“I had to be ready, I’m the captain of this team, and those are the little sacrifices you make if you want to be at your best in this game, he said.”
“I wouldn’t have missed the wedding for the world.
“Being here is about consistently putting my hand up and testing myself. Not many of the boys I’ve grown up playing with are here, so this is a great challenge for me to try and make the guys around me better. I want to take that on board. Having Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Jeremiah Nanai and Anthony Milford will help me as well.”
Samoa will take on England without a host of stars, including Crichton, Brian To’o (injured), Spencer Leniu (his own wedding), and high-profile recruit Payne Haas (injury). Gardiner confirmed Haas was scheduled to tour the UK with them before he was forced to undergo surgery.
As for Luai and his leadership, Gardiner said: “‘Romy’ is really serious about being here and he’s taken the captaincy on with open arms.
“He sees this as something he’d like to do moving forward.
“He brings the energy and vibe, but there’s more to him than that – there’s a real maturity around his footy. He knows how he wants to play, he knows where he wants people around him, and he understands the need for extras and extra practice. He’s a changed player.”
