According to NRL's stats, the former Penrith five-eighth topped the missed tackle count in four of his last five seasons in the competition.

So as Jarome Luai spent last season as understudy to one of the most successful players of the past decade, defence wasn't high on the list of questions.

"That's probably something I didn't talk to him about much, defence," Luai told AAP, with tongue in cheek.

A year on and headed into Sunday's grand final against Melbourne, Luai is the one doing all the talking.

Particularly when the young livewire playmaker knows he's been targeted in defence as the smallest member of Penrith's team and is repelling the opposition.

"Then when I start to get cheeky as well, it adds onto that a bit," Luai said.

"It gives me confidence, you know, seeing them like that.

"(That confidence is) really big, especially leading into next week against a team like Melbourne.

"You can never let off for the whole 80 minutes."

While Maloney averaged 6.4 misses a game over his two years at Penrith, Luai's figure is less than half of that at 2.8 in 2020.

But it hasn't been an overnight success.

While his left-edge attack has been deadly all year and he improves in picking his time to run, he has had his moments in defence.

He missed nine tackles in his first two games this year, and 23 in his first six before a steady improvement.

A fortnight ago coach Ivan Cleary was critical of Luai's defence, as he missed five tackles which resulted in two tries for the Sydney Roosters on that edge.

Luai responded.

Assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo put a heavy emphasis on stopping South Sydney's Cody Walker in the preliminary final, spending hours on his run-around play with Adam Reynolds.

And when the Rabbitohs tried to pull it off in a crunch moment late in the game it was Luai that stopped Walker.

"That was definitely my focus for the week," Luai said.

Now a similar challenge awaits against Melbourne.

Cameron Munster is another five-eighth who is dangerous on both sides of the field and was easily the Storm's best in their round-six loss to Penrith.

The ever-dangerous Felise Kaufusi and in-form halfback Jahrome Hughes are also on Luai's edge.

"I've met Munster a few times. He's awesome off the field but on the field, he's crazy," Luai said.

"I idolised him a bit as I was coming into the league. Seeing the way he plays the game, it's really instinctive.

"Can step off both feet and I love that he can run the ball really well.

"It's a big job for me again, like it was against Cody."

TACKLE TALE OF TWO PENRITH FIVE-EIGHTHS

James Maloney missed tackles:

2019 - 122 (most in NRL)

2018 - 161 (most)

2017 - 121 (second most)

2016 - 103 (most)

2015 - 109 (most)

Jarome Luai missed tackles:

2020 - 61 (eighth most)

Australian Associated Press