BREAKING NEWS: How the Leniu case affected Luai’s perspective on players pointing out racism.
Jarome Luai finds the ancient tenet that “what happens on the field stays on the field” to be uncomfortable.
The Penrith playmaker says he now believes that NRL players should speak out against racism because of the consequences from the Spencer Leniu case.
Players would still use derogatory or even racist language as “motivation to be better on the field,” according to Luai, but he now had no problem with players standing up, such as Ezra Mam, who spoke up after the Roosters prop called him a “monkey” during the season opener in Las Vegas.
On Thursday, Mam will travel to Penrith for their grand final rematch, where the Panthers will honor Multicultural Round by donning a special Pasifika shirt.
When this masthead first contacted Luai following last Friday’s victory over Parramatta, Luai chose not to comment on the details of the case involving Leniu, a former Penrith teammate, and Mam.
He remarked, “I’ll leave that to myself, but I have my own views on it.”
But in response to questions on the subject on Tuesday, Luai stated that the experience had made him realize that not all athletes could afford to ignore racial taunts and that, should they want to make a stand, they should be protected.
Luai responded to this masthead when asked if he thought it was wise to keep everything stated on the field: “I don’t think I’d subscribe to that now with what has happened.”
That’s what I’ve always lived by. We are merely rivals vying for the victory. However, things change with time. Everything changes with time: individuals, laws, etc. It must be done in a way that benefits the game and keeps players safe.
“I believe that everyone’s perspective was altered by what transpired and how significant the event was. Things must alter.
While Luai is accustomed to experiencing on-field discomfort, he claimed he had never heard the phrase “coconut,” which Manly backrower Haumole Olakau’atu claimed was frequently used against Polynesian players during matches last week.
Luai remarked, “I couldn’t have said it any better myself with the way Haumole explained it.” “That’s who I am, and it won’t change,” the niggle said.
At the end of the day, it’s just banter. Nothing about it is personal. You attempt to obtain two points.
Winger Brian To’o of Penrith expressed his optimism that Mam had gotten the right help since the game in Vegas, which resulted in Leniu being suspended for eight matches.
To’o, nevertheless, stated he could not imagine himself filing a formal complaint in the event that he was assaulted.
“Me specifically? To’o grinned and remarked, “I let the football do the talking. Everyone is nice to me anyway, I don’t cop much.”
“We just want to play football, regardless of what players or supporters say. That’s what our pay is for. We let the football speak for itself.
James Fisher-Harris of the Panthers is out due to a shoulder injury, while Adam Reynolds of the Broncos will not be playing. Despite suffering a knee injury, Payne Haas, an enforcer for Brisbane, has been nominated to participate; however, a final decision will be made following the captain’s run on Wednesday.
Although they lost to Penrith in the grand final, 26-24, the Broncos had defeated the Panthers at their home stadium during the previous season’s opening round.
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