London: Jarome Luai says his incredible bond with Nathan Cleary will count for nothing when the Panthers superstars square off in next week’s Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford.
There will be a total of eight Penrith players competing in next week’s decider at the iconic home ground of Manchester United, but it’s the battle between Cleary and Luai which will go a long way to determining the result.
Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary during State of Origin.Credit:Getty
Cleary and Luai have grown up together in the Penrith juniors system, and have won two premierships and a State of Origin series together.
But while they’ve played their entire careers alongside each other, Luai said friendship with Cleary will be irrelevant when Samoa take the field for their first World Cup final against heavy favourites Australia.
“We are competitors though and through,” Luai said.
“It is going to be a great battle against one of my boys out there, but there are no friends on the field. There are only brothers and enemies and I am always going to look at it the same way.
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai have been playing together at the Panthers since they were in their early teens.Credit:Getty/Bradley Kanaris
“We grew up in the same comp. In the younger grades I played St Marys and he played [Penrith] Brothers. So it will be pretty big stakes this time around. It is going to be a great match, I think.”
There are five Penrith players in the Samoan team: Luai, Stephen Crichton, Taylan May, Brian To’o and Spencer Leniu.
The Australians have three Panthers of their own with Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin, who are all expected to start the match for the Kangaroos on Sunday morning (AEDT).
While the Kangaroos head into the final as the team to beat, little can take away from Samoa’s achievement at the World Cup.
They were humiliated in a 60-6 loss to England in the opening game of the World Cup, casting doubt over the coach and the team.
But back-to-back wins over Tonga and England has silenced critics, and cities and villages across Samoa erupted on Sunday following their side’s win over England in London.
“It is enormous,” Paulo said of the reaction back in Samoa.
“Sunday is a day of rest where you are actually not allowed out, back home. We knew the impact we were going to have on Samoans, not only back home but around the world.
Samoa celebrates the historic win over England.Credit:Getty
“What we have been able to create doesn’t go unnoticed from us as a playing group. We see it from week to week on social media. It is not only for people of Samoa but people of the Pacific who are happy to go out there and play footy.”
Parrish was coach of the Samoan team during the last World Cup when they underachieved, finding themselves well and truly in the shadow of Tonga as their Pacific neighbours rose up the ranks.
There’s been a dramatic shift five years on, with Samoa exceeding the semi-final feats of Tonga at the last World Cup.
“Inspirational, passionate – what this team is all about,” Parrish said.
“Unbelievable effort from these guys. A few things have gone against us – five guys gone home, down to our bare bones.
“Plenty of people had plenty to say four weeks ago [when we lost to England]. The pride and belief and passion in this group is just phenomenal. To put Samoa in a World Cup final – that tiny little dot in the Pacific – is incredible.”
