[ad_1]
Luai said having so many players involved in the Panthers’ system would help, but it was time to “lay down our [club] loyalties”, and start a “new brotherhood”.
That mantra explains why Maguire rejected all photo requests involving clubmates at Tuesday’s open media session. There were certainly no exceptions made for Luai, To’o, Crichton and Leniu.
Jarome Luai, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o and Spencer Leniu playing for Samoa at the 2022 World Cup.Credit: Getty Images
Crichton only announced last week To’o would be the best man at his wedding later this year. Luai, Leniu and Crichton are godfathers to To’o’s son, Atreus.
The players recalled that emotional conversation out the front of Luai’s home.
“We decided to have dinner at ‘Romy’s’ who has the big house, because he has the biggest contract, and I remember how we looked at each other and were like, ‘no matter what path we take, we’ll always be family’,” Leniu said. “We’ve gone through the highest of highs and lowest of lows. That creates a brotherhood. And now here we are again.”
To’o added: “We spoke about it after departing that God willing we can play alongside each other again, be it throughout the year [at Origin] or in internationals.
“We said our goodbyes and said we hoped we could still catch up. Little did we know we’d keep seeing each other every week because those three are godfathers to my boy. I told my wife those boys mean a lot to me, and how they’d definitely look after my son. I can’t explain the bond. All I know is it’s great to have another opportunity to play alongside my brothers. I can’t wait.”
And this from Crichton: “These guys have been my best mates since I started playing footy. ‘Bizza’ [To’o] has been there since the start. He’s more than a friend to me. It was an easy choice to choose him as my best man. He’s only ever a phone call away. We talk every day, we message every day, he’ll send photos from training, send stupid photos, and we have that connection.”
Loading
Luai, who was elevated to the Blues’ leadership group this week, said: “I remember that night. It was an unspoken goal for us to link up again. We were unsure where that would be, or when that would be. It’s surreal to be here, and it will be powerful – we don’t want this opportunity to go to waste.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
[ad_2]
Source link
