NRL star Jarome Luai will join Scott Morrison on the international speaking circuit after delivering a memorable speech at Brian To’o’s wedding.
Luai enthralled the guests and the social media audience on his way to earning a nomination for The Frownlow Medal and an invitation to join the former prime minister as a highly-paid dinner speaker.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while NRL star Jarryd Hayne is the most recent recipient.
Luai took inspiration from Morrison, who pretends to follow NRL rivals the Sharks, in forever associating himself with unpleasant smells from the nether regions.
During his best man speech for the Penrith winger, which was livestreamed on social media, Luai said:
“Got the privilege to spend seven weeks in England rooming with my boy,” he said.
“And if youse don’t know Brian To’o, this man has the stinkiest a–e I’ve ever been around. Stinkiest, and he’s proud of it. My uso (Samoan brother) loves himself. If his phone gallery gets leaked one day, that’ll be the proof.
As I said, seven weeks in England. Walked into the room, (and) basically all I saw was my uso taking selfies, my uso Face Timing another girl he met in England — I mean Moesha, Face Timing Moesha.
Sometimes I walk in I hear things in the toilet.
Chill, chill, chill,” Luai said, as To’o glared at him.
“Nah, I was joking. I’m about to get a hiding.”
Morrison’s agent called the NSW and Samoa representative immediately. They saw similarities between Luai’s mention of a stinky backside and Morrison’s infamous trip to Engadine Maccas where he allegedly soiled his pants while celebrating Cronulla’s first premiership in 2016. Luai also attracted controversy after a grand final win, when he and Panthers teammates damaged the Summons-Provan trophy in 2021.
Since losing the federal election in 2022, Morrison has been neglecting his duties as Cronulla Sharks no. 1 ticket holder, and as federal member for the Shire, as he chases the big bucks on the international speaking circuit. He is expected to pair up with Luai to talk about rugby league, appealing to bogans, and being infamous for a dirty backside.
Residents of Western Sydney, Panthers fans and readers of the Murdoch press have already started reserving their tickets. The duo will deliver its first speech at the awards night for The Frownlow Medal and The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame later this year.
Image: Penrith Panthers
The Frownlow Medal 