Controversial NSW star Jarome Luai opens up about getting death threats over his shocking State of Origin social media post – as he drops one annoying habit for this year’s series

Polarizing NSW Blues star Jarome Luai has opened up about receiving death threats following his tone-deaf social media post last June – and why he has dropped a previous habit ahead of the 2024 series.

Luai, 27, was recalled to the squad for the first game amid an injury crisis and will partner Nicho Hynes in a new halves combination.

The Panthers lynchpin takes on a senior role under new coach Michael Maguire and wants redemption – and for Blues fans to rally around him.

Luai knows some sections of supporters won’t forgive him after his infamous Instagram post ‘Chill, All you idiots have work tomorrow’ – but tense emotions were running high as he picked up his phone to vent.

NSW had just lost the series – and Luai was sent off after a scuffle with Maroons x-factor Reece Walsh.

Polarizing NSW Blues star Jarome Luai has opened up about receiving death threats following his tone-deaf social media post last June

Luai infamously posted: ‘Chill, you idiots have work tomorrow morning’ on Instagram (pictured) – but stressed emotions were high as he took out his phone to vent

NSW had just lost the series – and Luai was sent off (pictured) after a scuffle with Maroons x-factor Reece Walsh

2GB commentator Ray Hadley led the chorus of criticism, pointing out that some fans Luai mocked would have to work three to six months to earn the $30,000 he raised for a single game of representative footy.

‘I reacted out of anger. I want to make it right,” Luai told the newspaper Sydney Morning Herald.

‘I’m not proud of how I handled that. I was a little emotional and then had to watch game three [after he was dropped].

‘I want her [fans] to see my passion for the jersey. I wear it with pride.’

Luai has waited 350 days for another opportunity at Origin level – an opportunity he feared would never arise again.

While the likes of Mitchell Moses and Matt Burton wait in the wings, the five-eighth knows he must perform or perish.

His maturity has also increased: instead of searching for his name and subsequent articles online, the three-time NRL premiership winner has found balance and peace in his life.

Luai’s trademark boombox from previous Origin camps was left at home, with the five-eighth showing he means business from the moment he was picked.

“I’ve put it on pause,” he said from NSW’s training base in the Blue Mountains earlier this week. ‘Madge is big on culture.’

Former coach and NSW legend Laurie Daley backed Luai’s move and said it was vital the playing group remains united.

Kick-off in game one is Wednesday evening at 8:05 PM at Accor Stadium in Sydney.