'Gobbing off' Luai braces for awkward Cup battle

2 years ago 93

The Rugby League World Cup last volition present a mouthwatering match-up arsenic Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai — the Panthers' and Blues' superstar halves — quadrate disconnected astatine Old Trafford.

They've combined for 3 NRL expansive last appearances, back-to-back premiership triumphs and a State of Origin bid title.

But erstwhile Australia and Samoa collide successful the World Cup last connected Sunday (AEDT), Cleary volition beryllium wearing greenish and gold, Luai volition beryllium successful bluish and the weapon playmakers volition look each different down connected the aforesaid broadside of the paddock.

"I reckon he'll beryllium gobbing off, Jarome," the duo's Origin coach, Brad Fittler, said connected 2GB's Wide World of Sports radio.

"Can you ideate his chat?"

It'll beryllium a throwback to erstwhile Cleary, playing for Brothers Penrith, and Luai, moving astir for St Marys Saints, faced disconnected arsenic juniors.

As Cleary teams up with Cameron Munster successful the World Cup decider, Luai volition brace up with Anthony Milford.

When Stephen Crichton slotted a tract extremity successful aureate constituent to descend England connected Sunday (AEDT), Samoa became the archetypal tier-two federation to person qualified for a World Cup last and the sixth country.

Fittler says the Samoans indispensable play assertive footy if they are to instrumentality down the juggernaut Australians.

"They've got to get nether their tegument a small spot and they've got to backmost themselves, the Samoans," Fittler said.

"They request to find immoderate errors and get them unsettled."

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