Jarome Luai accused of ‘disgusting’ act in State of Origin decider

Jarome Luai appeared to taunt Selwyn Cobbo after he was knocked out in the State of Origin decider. Image: Getty/Channel 9

NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai has been widely condemned by commentators and fans after appearing to taunt an unconscious Selwyn Cobbo in the State of Origin decider.

A brutal opening to Game III at Suncorp Stadium saw three players knocked out of the game with concussion, the worst of which was Cobbo.

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The Queensland winger copped some friendly fire after a tackle on NSW centre Matt Burton, which resulted in Cobbo lying prone on the ground on his back.

Despite Cobbo appearing to be unconscious, Luai stood over the top of his opponent and seemingly taunted him with some choice words.

Queensland players took exception to Luai’s actions, sparking a melee while Cobbo was still lying on the ground.

While Luai might have simply been praising Burton for the tough run, commentators and fans had no doubt his words were directed at Cobbo.

Selwyn Cobbo left the field in a neck brace after being knocked out in State of Origin III. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Jacob Shields of the ABC tweeted: “Unfortunate start to Origin, but that was disgusting from Jerome Luai to stand over Cobbo flexing after he’s out cold on the ground clearly knocked out.

“Could have been seriously injured and he’s flexing over him being all tough?? Very grubby, gross stuff.”

Lachlan McKirdy of CODE Sports wrote: “Jarome Luai standing over Cobbo is going to become a defining Origin image.”

Others labelled it a ‘terrible’ and ‘disgraceful’ act.

NSW forward Cameron Murray was the first casualty as three players were knocked out of the game in the opening four minutes.

Lindsay Collins then joined Cobbo on the sidelines in a frenzied opening that left the Maroons down to just two players on their interchange bench and scrambling to rearrange their team with 76 minutes still to play.

Despite a stretcher being called, Cobbo got to his feet, albeit in a neck brace, before being taken from the field.

Incredibly, within minutes of the game restarting a third man was knocked out of the match when Collins copped a stray elbow from Daniel Tupou after the Blues’ winger was hit so hard by Tom Gilbert he bounced away into the unfortunate Maroons prop.

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With Kurt Capewell moving to centre and Dane Gagai taking Cobbo’s place on the wing, Collins’ absence meant Queensland’s middle forwards were facing a mountain of work.

Jarome Luai was slammed for his action after Selwyn Cobbo was knocked out. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Queensland struck first on the scoreboard, with Valentine Holmes scoring in the 12th minute before tries to Luai and NSW debutant Jacob Saifiti for the visitors.

A Capewell try right on half-time reduced the deficit to two at the break before Queensland outfought, outran and outlasted NSW in a remarkable second-half display.

Kalyn Ponga put the Maroons ahead in the 60th minute and after NSW repelled several Queensland raids, Ben Hunt’s runaway winner in the 79th minute sealed the win and the series in another famous backs to the wall victory.

“We did in front of our fans, friends and family against all the odds and it makes it so special,” Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans said.

Rookie Queensland coach Billy Slater said: “It was a unique game … I don’t know if I’ve seen a start to a game like that before.

“It was courageous … that’s as good a Queensland victory as I’ve ever seen.

“I don’t think I’ve been any prouder of a team I’ve been involved in.”

with AAP

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