Junior Paulo says he and his Samoan teammates will wrap their arms around Jarome Luai and provide a safe haven from the criticism he’s faced during the 2026 NRL season.

Not that Luai needed a lot of hugs!

“He’s able to brush everything off his shoulders and he’s ready to play some footy,” said Paulo of his co-captain.

Luai dominated the headlines in late April after signing a deal with the PNG Chiefs for 2028 while also committing to see out the remaining 18 months of his Wests Tigers contract.

With the Tigers in the midst of an eight-game losing skid in July, it was announced that the star playmaker would wind up his time at the club in 2026 and head to Parramatta for a season en route to PNG.

Luai did not attend the club's post-season awards night as he was visiting Samoa – with Paulo – as part of his World Cup duties.

“This is what Jarome has been looking forward to – playing once more for Samoa - but I think he’s a bit misunderstood by many people,” Paulo said.

“Towards the back end of the year I think people were very opinionated about him.

“For Romy he’s locked into putting his best foot forward and representing Samoa. He clearly enjoys being in these camps.

"I’ve been lucky enough to see Romy evolve as a leader and grow into being the leader he is now.

Samoa can count on passionate support wherever they play during RLWC26.

“All the boys will be backing him and luckily nothing fazes Romy too much.”

Paulo said both he and Luai were reminded of what their heritage meant to them with the September visit.

“The biggest thing was seeing the smiles on kids’ faces and them striving to want to be play for Samoa one day,” he said.

“The inspiration we can generate is why we represent Samoa so proudly.”

Added to that list of passionate Samoans are Knights back-rowers Francis Manuleleua and Jermaine McEwen, who are still stinging from the one-point loss to the Roosters in the NRL decider.

Paulo, a stalwart at the Eels, knows that pain and how it can be turned into a great motivator.

“Off the back of the last World Cup (2022) I was in those same shoes having lost the grand final to Penrith and then heading over (to UK) to play for Samoa,” he said.

“They just want to get out on the field and get back to winning again. I did to.

“They had exceptional years and while they lost the final we saw how damaging they were.

“To see them come in and be in awe of being in the Samoan camp because they really wanted to be part of our squad. We can now bring them through to be ready to represent Samoa.”