As the countdown to the State of Origin series opener in Adelaide continues, the NSW Blues were given some free time on Wednesday to unwind. Some players chose to relax with a morning swim, while others opted for a round of golf. Jarome Luai and Tyson Frizell, however, decided to reenact one of the season’s more controversial incidents.
During last month’s NRL game between Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights, Knights second-rower Tyson Frizell grabbed a handful of Jarome Luai’s hair, causing him to recoil in pain. With a penalty ensuing from the incident, Penrith went on to score a try that levelled the score, eventually winning the game in golden point.
Frizell and Luai joked about the incident, with Luai noting that Frizell still had some of his hair in his hand. “It’s a bit of a joke at the moment, we have played a lot of footy together,” Frizell commented, admitting that the incident was a bit of a funny one.
Frizell, who last played for the Blues during the 2020 series loss, said he was surprised to be a part of the squad given his age. “I wasn’t too sure if the opportunity (to play Origin) would come back again,” he revealed. “I’ve been able to stay injury-free and got a few games under my belt, and to be given the opportunity again is quite humbling and I’m pretty grateful to be back here.”
Heading into the series opener, NSW has only one specialist hooker in the squad, Api Koroisau, and Luai is one of several options who could spend time in the position during the game. “Whatever they (the team) need me to do, I’m happy to do it,” Luai commented, adding that he has played in the position before and is ready to step in if needed.
“It will be a situation about how the game pans out, and that’s the coaches call,” Luai noted about the possibility of playing in the hooker position. “Whatever happens, happens, and I’ll be ready for it.”