Jarome Luai

Kikau, Luai star as Panthers bury Manly at Lottoland

 Luai set up three tries, Kikau and To'o each bagged doubles while makeshift left centre Matt Burton crossed for one as Manly's right side defence was cut to ribbons in ruthless fashion.

 The 40-point loss is Manly's biggest ever at their home ground which was once a fortress but now holds few fears for visiting teams.

 Halfback Nathan Cleary wasn't heavily involved in the attacking plays but kicked brilliantly throughout with both high and short kicks causing the Manly backs endless headaches.

'Triple agent' Luai to become comic book hero

Luai is one of dozens of NRL players to feature in Rugby Blood II, a creation of former Melbourne Storm prop Keith Mason, who has cast the gifted playmaker as a triple agent and renowned escape artist.

Luai represented the Maori All Stars in the 10-10 draw with the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday night and is also a proud wearer of the Samoan jersey. Add to that his inclusion in the NSW squad for last year's State of Origin series.

"I’m a big fan of anime and superheroes, so it is pretty cool," Luai said. "I was shown a photo of how I looked and I was stoked.

'Starstruck' Jarome Luai to play with 'boyhood idol' Benji Marshall for Māori All Stars

Luai was an eight-year-old on a family camping holiday when Marshall led Wests Tigers to the 2005 NRL grand final title.

“Our camping neighbours happened to have a little portable TV, so we watched the game on it,'' Luai, 24, told Australia's News Corp.

“I remember my mum got me a Tigers towel afterwards, and I used it after every shower for the next five years – I just didn’t want to let go of it.

Luai - who is Sydney born with Māori and Samoan heritage - is a NRL star in his own right, having helped the Panthers make the 2020 grand final.