LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary are on the verge of cementing their legacy as the NSW halves in the upcoming State of Origin decider, the first in Sydney since 2019.
Despite having won four premierships together at Penrith, they have yet to secure a victory in a game-three decider.
For Luai, this match holds significant importance, potentially surpassing the stakes of a grand final.
He stated, "The rivalry I think is a lot stronger than two teams in the NRL.
You're playing for a lot more people and for their pride, for their upbringing, for their childhood.
It's pretty massive." Luai emphasized the need to focus on their performance and remain present in the moment, as they prepare to reignite their chemistry after a tight loss in Origin II, where Luai stepped in as a late replacement for the injured Mitch Moses.