Penrith Panthers star Jarome Luai slams Roosters hitman Jared Warea-Hargreaves after ugly NRL brawl

Panthers star Jarome Luai has lit the fuse for a possible rematch with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, saying he and his teammates had ‘had enough of him’ after a number of controversial incidents on Saturday night.

The Roosters veteran was all involved during a heated second half as the Panthers ran out 30-6 winners to join Brisbane at the top of the table.

Waerea-Hargreaves played like a man on a mission against Penrith’s younger pack, but Panthers coach Ivan Cleary and Luai both said the veteran prop went too far.

That included a sickening moment when his elbow hit Moses Leota in the head and drew blood before he was forced off the field for a head injury assessment.

That was just the beginning, with the old bull involved in one of the most heated exchanges of 2023 when he sprayed water at Spencer Leniu and then threw a bottle at the man who will join him at the Roosters next year.

Leniu had to be restrained by teammates when he launched into a verbal tirade at the Roosters star, including an invitation to sort things out in the parking lot, as both men were sent to the sentry bin, but not before the young buck then proceeded to tell the crowd gave. .

“It started with Jared. He was looking for trouble. That was clear. And he found it,” Cleary said of the incident, adamant that his young mainstay did nothing wrong.

“There were numerous incidents and I think the likelihood was that Jared was the one who initiated it.”

While Waerea-Hargreaves likes to play the villain role on the pitch to inspire his side, Luai thought he was overstepping some of his comments after his elbow hit Leota in the head.

“He had quite a bit to say, especially after the elbow that disappointed us all,” Luai revealed.

“I think that was just a buildup of frustration because he had something to say after his elbows. I understand what happens on the field, stays on the field, but there has to be a line in the sand.

“We’ve had a little bit of him.

“Spenny” is going there next year, so it might be a little awkward. That’s football. That’s the heat of battle. What happens on the field stays on the field. Everyone knows what I’m like – we like that kind of thing.’

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said the showdown was good for the game, and if so, Leniu may have just punched his ticket to Brisbane for match two of the State of Origin series.

The Panthers wrecking ball was ineligible for the series opener after tearing a testicle in practice, but his willingness to take on anyone from the opposition has him in the mix for a Blues debut according to under-fire Blues five-eighths, Luai.

“He (Leniu) is a smart football player. I know he’s a front-rower, but he’s got some brains in his head,” he said.

‘I hope he’s in conversation, because everyone knows what he brings. He’s got that fireball energy and when he’s out there he can change the momentum.

He’s been doing this consistently this year. If he gets a chance, he will enjoy being in that arena. It’s built for it.’

Leniu is said to have many Panthers mates in the squad, including Luai, who has not spoken to NSW coach Brad Fittler about whether he will keep the number 6 jersey.

There was a theory that he would be dropped if partner Nathan Cleary dropped out of the series with a hamstring injury, but another strong performance against the Roosters means Luai should be one of the first players to be picked, according to his coach.

“I thought Jarome was excellent,” Cleary said after his five-eighth held up with two try assists.

“I don’t think there should ever have been any doubt about his position. You just felt that he had to play well. He has always been able to do that. The bigger the game, ‘Romey’ usually goes well.’