Penrith Panthers star playmaker Jarome Luai has expressed his desire to return to the State of Origin arena and partner his club teammate Nathan Cleary in the halves for New South Wales.
With Cleary all but confirmed to be the Blues halfback, the race to be the team’s five-eighth is heating up with Luai among a group of players, including Dally M Medal winner and Cronulla skipper Nicho Hynes, chasing the coveted spot in Michael Maguire’s squad.
Luai played in the No.6 jersey in the Blues’ two losses against the Maroons last season before being replaced by Cody Walker for game three.
The man, who will join his idol Benji Marshall at the Wests Tigers next season, said his goal at the start of every season was always to run out for the Blues.
“You’re always conscious about it (Origin selections) when it’s coming up, all the talk around leading into it, who’s going to play in certain positions and things like that,” Luai said on SEN’s The Captain’s Run with Cameron Smith and Denan Kemp.
“I love the spirit of Origin, I love the build up towards it and I love the jersey itself.
“It’s always a goal for me at the start of every year to be amongst that 17 that runs out there and takes on Queensland but I think at the end of the day the jersey will pick the man and who’s fit to wear it.
"Whoever’s in that six will do a great job.”
Luai also gave an insight into the decisions behind his move to the Tigers next season as he prepares to move on from the Panthers, where he’s won three consecutive premierships.
“Probably the challenge of it, you sort of get in that comfort zone and it’s a bit dangerous, I think stepping out of that for me, it’s a great challenge for myself and seeing where I can take it,” he said.
“Family was another (reason), family’s a big part of my life and Benji (Marshall) also, the chance to be coached by him, he was always my favourite player going up.
“I got to play alongside him in the Maori’s team and now I get to go over there and get coached by him next year so I’m pretty excited by that.”
Penrith welcome back Cleary for their clash with the Bulldogs at Bluebet Stadium on Friday night.