Luai became the unlucky half to be squeezed out of NSW's squad on Sunday night, with coach Laurie Daley preferring to partner Mitch Moses with Nathan Cleary.
The Tigers recruit has been part of the Blues' past four series, dropped once for the dead rubber in 2023 before winning his spot back last year.
He and Moses were crucial in NSW overturning a 1-0 series deficit last season, but Cleary's return to the Blues team always meant a squeeze was coming.
Luai took a call from Laurie Daley as he walked up the tunnel following the Tigers' loss to South Sydney on Sunday night.
"He just said, 'I'm going to leave you out of game one, and stay ready'," Luai said.
"Which I will be. I am going to use this time to refresh. We have the bye now. Refresh, reset and just keep working on my game.
"I heard what I needed to hear. And I am content with it because I know I am in control of the selection at the end of the day.
"I am still figuring out what my best is here so I am looking forward to that process and I have a bit of work to do on my game."
Luai's case for selection in the Blues' team was a strong one, given he is a left-footed left side player, unlike Moses and Cleary who play on the right.
He has more than a decade of experience playing alongside Cleary, with their partnership dating back to juniors at Penrith and including four NRL premierships.
But the 28-year-old refused to say he had been hard done by.
"Not at all," Luai said.
"I am in control of the selection at the end of the day. Looking at my form and the way I have been playing, I know I can be better.
"It is just about owning that now and moving forward. At the end of the day, just be a man about it all.
"I am disappointed because I know what I am missing out on. And I think if I wasn't (disappointed) I would probably be scared."
Tigers coach Benji Marshall conceded after Sunday's game the club felt responsible for Luai not being picked, after his move from the Panthers.
"But it's a decision that is out of our hands," Marshall said.
"I wish we could do more to get him into that team. But it will make him hungrier and better."
Tigers prop Terrell May also missed out, despite the possibility of the Blues losing big-minute prop Payne Haas to a quad injury.
May has been among the NRL's best front-rowers this year, but attracted criticism last week for comments on social media telling a fan to throw a Blues jersey in the bin.
"All I can say for Terrell and his character and the way he has been for us, and that's outstanding," Marshall said.
"He has taken a lot of the young guys under his wing. He has become a real leader in our squad."
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