Jarome Luai has defended Nathan Cleary after his superstar teammate was accused of being arrogant during Penrith’s World Club Challenge match against St Helens.
When Cleary slotted a conversion to level the scores at 12-12 in the 80th minute, the Blues and Kangaroos halfback pointed to the veins in his right arm.
The gesture, which is popular in the NBA, is a nod to being cool under pressure.
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St Helens had an answer to Cleary’s clutch conversion, seizing victory in golden point through a Lewis Dodd field goal.
Social media had already lit up with criticism of Cleary over his “ice-in-the-veins” move, which Luai backed on Monday.
“That’s all in the moment,” Luai said.
“That was a pretty big-pressure kick that he pulled off, so if people are talking crap about that then it’s pretty crazy because he’s stepped up in a lot of pressure moments.
“He’s earned where he’s got and where he’s at now. He’s worked every metre for it, he’s going to keep doing his thing and he’s got my full support.”
It wasn’t the first time the Panthers had been hit with claims of cockiness.
As Penrith players celebrated winning back-to-back premierships last year, James Fisher-Harris told fans that “Parra are our sons”, triggering a “we hate Parra” chant in the crowd.
Fisher-Harris’ sledge was made on the back of Luai’s “they can call us daddy” jibe ahead of the grand final.
“The Panthers culture is we just love our footy, we love each other,” Luai said on Monday.
“That’s that brotherhood we have. We’ve got a great connection with each other, and when it comes game time it’s all shackles off and we’re just out there to compete.”
The Panthers will begin their 2023 campaign in a clash with the Broncos at Penrith Stadium on Friday, March 3.
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