‘Seen your little critique’: Luai’s hilarious live TV reply to Keary criticism

It was dubbed a performance to silence his critics, but Wests Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai had Fox League’s Luke Keary howling with laughter in a cheeky on-air exchange following Wests’ come-from-behind victory over the Gold Coast on Sunday.

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Just a week after Keary was critical of Luai’s recent on-field performances, the Fox League panelist was forced to take his medicine when interviewing the Tigers captain following a hat-trick against the Titans.

“Jarome, it’s Kez mate. Sorry about last week,” Keary said while try to hold back laughter. “Honestly mate… I’ll keep saying it every week. What was the difference tonight?”

Luai took the question in good humour, and happily played along in the exchange. But he also took the opportunity to take full accountability for his recent performances – especially in light of the Tiger’s woeful 68-0 loss to Penrith just a week earlier – saying Keary’s take was valid.

“I need it again,” joked Luai in response.

“You probably said it yourself bro. The criticism was warranted, those results were a reflection of leadership and I’m a big part of that. I’ve seen your little critique there and I just decided to put my hand up for the boys.”

Luai sent Leichardt fans into a frenzy after the stunning 36-28 comeback win, sealing the victory with a solo try at the death before making a cheeky shush gesture to cameras in the wake of another week of unwanted headlines.

In a separate exchange with guest host Bryan Fletcher, Luai joked that his breakthrough appearance on Sunday Night with Fletch was probably a good reflection of where his form has been at this season.

“I haven’t been on all year so it’s probably a good sign to be on here talking to the boys,” Luai smiled.

“We took responsibility for the last couple of weeks. We were down some troops but so proud of the boys for the way they took accountability throughout the week.”

Luai has been a walking headline in recent months after being confirmed as the PNG Chief’s first marquee signing. He will join the NRL’s 19th franchise for their inaugural 2028 season, but not before another 18 months in Tigers colours.

With questions over Luai’s commitment hanging over his head in recent months, the 29-year-old orchestrated a masterful comeback on Sunday – with three tries helping the Tigers farewell their Leichhardt fortress ahead of works which will keep the ground off limits for games for the next 18 months.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall was among the first to heap praise on Luai in the wake of his performance, calling on the press to “write how he won it for us today”.

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“You’ve got to remember a lot has been made since his decision to go to PNG and that falling on him,” Marshall said.

“So write how he brought us back tonight. Because everyone wrote how that changed our season. Well write how he won it for us today.”

Alongside his trio of tries, Luai had five offloads and broke the line twice, with his running game a clear focus to rediscover his form.

His efforts helped the Tigers to their second win in six games, and again within striking distance of the NRL’s top eight at the mid-point of the season.

Luai won’t have long to relish in his own efforts, with less than a week to turn around for the Tiger’s important clash against the Dolphins on Saturday.