‘No beaches in Penrith’: Luai rescued on surfing trip
Jarome Luai sent a scare through the NSW camp when he was rescued by a lifeguard at Urbnsurf.
The Blues completed a recovery session at the new $75 million aquatic centre at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday morning – but nobody expected Luai to be plucked from the water.
An exhausted and embarrassed Luai was at least grateful he provided some entertainment for his teammates.
Luai jumped into the wave pool with a bodyboard as most of his teammates were given a safety warning from staff, then started to drift into deep water. A lifeguard needed several attempts to bring Luai back to land.
“I think my life flashed before my eyes out there,” Luai said with a grin. “I attacked it, it was a bit of a dare from the boys. It was a good laugh, hey?
“I jumped the gun. I wanted to attack it head on. I’m grateful to be alive. I was embarrassed as. There are no beaches in Penrith. We don’t get much practice out there.
An exhausted Jarome Luai after being pulled out of the water.Credit: Nikki Short
“But I thought I’d try my luck anyway. It didn’t go too well. I can float. That’s enough. Thanks to the lifeguard for dragging me back in. I owe him one.”
Connor Watson, who grew up on Avoca Beach, was one of the few New South Welshmen who looked a natural in the surf.
Watson said of Luai’s scare: “I didn’t even know what he was doing. All of a sudden I turned around and he’s getting rescued. I’m glad he survived.”
Luai said most of the Polynesian contingent were reluctant to dip their toe in the water.
“All us brown boys were [nervous], we were a bit hesitant, but the boys dared me to [jump in] – it’s the culture, we wanted a laugh today, and I’m sure people got a good laugh out of that,” Luai said.
Robbie Kearns famously fell off a horse and broke his arm during a NSW camp in 1999. Thankfully, the Luai incident resulted in little more than a bruised ego.
A handful of NSW players were able to stand up in the foamy water, including St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax.
The Blues head to the Blue Mountains – where there are no waves – on Tuesday night for a training camp before flying to Brisbane on Sunday.
Luai will play a key role in helping the Blues try and win their first decider at Suncorp Stadium since 2005.
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