Penrith Panthers premierships celebrations, Jarome Luai Instagram publish, Brian Fletcher addresses followers
Penrith playmaker Jarome Luai has taken one other cheeky jab at his critics, doubling down on his controversial State of Origin social media publish from earlier this 12 months.
Luai was compelled from the sector early within the second half of the Panthers’ 26-24 grand last victory over the Broncos after succumbing to his troublesome left shoulder.
Following NSW’s loss to Queensland in recreation two, the Blues and Panthers five-eighth drew the ire of followers after he posted a late-night Instagram story the place he seemingly labelled his detractors “idiots”.
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Basking within the glory of the Panthers’ historic three-peat after seeing off the Broncos on Sunday night time, Luai revisited the condemned publish.
Taking to Instagram within the early hours of Monday morning, Luai shared an image of himself and teammate Sunia Turuva pointing within the path of the digital camera because the Panthers ready forward of the grand last.
“Who’s acquired work tomorrow?,” Luai wrote beneath.
Luai initially hit out at trolls again in June after his type was referred to as into query.
“Chill, All you idiots have work tomorrow morning,” he wrote on the time adopted by a number of laughing emojis.
Blues coach Brad Fittler later revealed that the publish was in response to demise threats Luai had obtained after NSW misplaced the collection.
Addressing followers at Monday’s premiership celebration day, Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher got here to Luai’s defence following the most recent wave of disapproval.
“They’re younger males and the work they do in the neighborhood is unbelieve, and a number of the crap they cop at occasions is simply undeserved,” he mentioned.
“They’re great folks and you have solely acquired to see what Jarome Luai, what he is completed for that younger boy whose mom was killed.”
Luai shared a heartfelt interplay with Panthers supporter and Sea World helicopter crash survivor Nicholas Tadros after the match, encouraging him to attempt on his premiership ring.
The Panthers pulled off an almighty come-from-behind win to seal their third consecutive premiership – led by an all-time grand last efficiency by Nathan Cleary.
With customised ski goggles, an ‘undisputed’ championship belt and loads of Polynesia sweet leis, the post-match celebrations from the Panthers’ gamers, coaches, employees and households mirrored the three-peat dynasty not seen in Australian rugby league in 40 years.
Comically giant sun shades with the phrases ’Up the Pahs’ written on them had been additionally noticed doing the rounds, seemingly poking enjoyable on the membership’s notorious social media publish taunting the Warriors.
Talking within the sheds, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary acknowledged the unimaginable workload wanted to stay on the prime.
“Firstly, I need to thank all people on this room and anybody who has ever supported us,” he mentioned.
“It has been an extended journey. I do know this 12 months’s group has been an unimaginable group, that is one factor, however that is additionally a part of three in a row.
“There are folks right here who’ve completed a lot for this group and membership – gamers, coaches, employees members, they’re all part of this three-peat.
“This group, man, I really like you guys a lot. That tonight was unbelievable. We performed in a manner that might have overwhelmed most different groups. However the Broncos did not go away.
“After we had been down 24-8 and in all types, I believed we accelerated.”
Earlier than making the journey again to ‘The Riff’, the group partied within the sheds, belting out a rendition of Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ and returned to the sector at Accor Stadium.
Retired professional surfer and die-hard Penrith supporter Mick Fanning acquired in on the festivities.
Within the wake of of gorgeous win, Fanning was seen embracing gamers and posing for photographs as he joined the group on their lap of honour earlier than making his manner by means of the dressing room.
In his last act as a Panthers’ participant, Stephen Crichton flashed all three of his premiership rings, whereas at totally different levels all through the night time, Cleary mistook his Clive Churchill medal for a shirt.
