‘Hated’ Panthers grand final star shreds critics

“It was just a mate-on-mate thing and I was just embracing one of my boys in the celebrations, but I realised when I woke up to the phone call,” Luai told 9News during the build-up to the Rugby League World Cup in England.

“Took it down straight away.

“I know it caught a bit of headlines.

“Just grateful that I get to participate in the first couple of days (of the World Cup).

“I understand that it was the wrong thing to do and wrong thing to post.

“With the influence we have as big NRL players, we need to watch what we say, as well, so that’s definitely a lesson learned for me.”

Luai revealed a motto he lived by when pressed on the Panthers’ controversial grand final celebrations.

“I’ve got a saying for myself: if you’re not hated you’re not doing it right,” Luai said.

“So I’ve sort of embraced that a bit.”

Panthers mock Koroisau’s Tigers move

Luai strutted around with a cigar in his mouth after Penrith secured consecutive grand final wins.

James Fisher-Harris was another Panther who left many irked, with the front-rower claiming this side was “the greatest Penrith team ever”.

And the Wests Tigers-bound Apisai Koroisau made a mockery of the joint venture, laughing when raising the prospect of his new club winning a premiership.

“We’re just being who we are as people,” Luai said.

“We’re happy people and we love each other’s company, as well.

“I know whoever knows us face to face and person to person — they know we’re good people.

“We’re just enjoying this ride.”

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