Jarome vs clone: Voro set to take on idol in biggest match in PNG history

Gairo Voro is excited about playing against his idol and future PNG Chiefs team-mate Jarome Luai for the first time when the Kumuls host Toa Samoa in the most anticipated match staged in Papua New Guinea.

Voro, the Luai look-alike who has overcome language hurdles to become one of the game’s rising stars, is set to play alongside the Samoa co-captain in the halves for PNG Chiefs in 2028.

However, the pair will be rivals in Saturday’s Round 2 World Cup match at Santos National Stadium that is set to be the biggest match in PNG history because of the presence of Luai and fellow PNG Chiefs recruit Brian To’o in the Toa team.

“It is a big game, a very big game,” Voro said after winning player-of-the-match in last weekend’s 42-18 defeat of Lebanon.  

“It will be my first time playing against Jarome, so it will be good. I am excited.”

The 23-year-old was among the first locally produced talent, along with Kumuls team-mates Morea Morea and Finley Glare, signed by the PNG Chiefs following the recruitment of Luai and fellow big names stars Alex Johnston, Connor Watson and Matty Lees.

The trio were signed on development contracts but are expected to be pushing for starting positions by 2028 after leading London Broncos to victory in the Championship, with Voro winning the Player of the Year award.

“I think going over to London definitely gave him more confidence,” said Kumuls captain Rhyse Martin, who will join the PNG Chiefs as football manager after finishing his Super League career with Hull KR.

“Working under JD, it’s definitely helped him come into this tournament. Last year he was a bit quiet and then he has come in this year a bit more confident around the team.”

It’s a remarkable achievement given the language and cultural barriers Voro has had to overcome in one of the world’s largest cities.   

Hailing from a remote fishing village in Abau District, Central Provence, Voro was unable to speak either English or Tok Pisin – a national language of PNG - when he joined the Hunters in 2024 after starring in the PNGRFL’s Digicel Exxon Mobil Cup.

Rising above the obvious on-and-off-field communication issues, Goro captained the Junior Kumuls in 2024 and last season won the Hunters rookie of the year award.

Samoa coach Ben Gardiner said there was mutual respect between Luai and Voro as they prepare to face each other for the first time.

“He’s a great young player and I thought he did a great job last weekend,” Gardiner told Radio 2GB.

“He’s been over there playing for the London Broncos, he has had a really good year and he has built his footy playing at that level over there.

“I think he will love playing against Jarome this weekend and Jarome will love playing against him.”

The match is set to be a sell-out with PNG fans eager to see Luai and To'o in action for the first time while hoping the Kumuls can continue their campaign to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals.