Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The boss of Queensland Rugby League expects Spencer Leniu to be targeted by the Maroons next Wednesday night following his public verbal exchange with “one of the most beloved figures in Queensland”, Johnathan Thurston.
Leniu and Thurston were caught on camera engaging in a heated confrontation following the Sydney Roosters’ clash with the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium last month.
Roosters enforcer Leniu took issue with Thurston over his scathing public criticism of the eight-match ban handed to Leniu for calling Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam a “monkey” in Las Vegas a year earlier. Thurston said Leniu’s outburst on the sideline had been “overly aggressive in tone and unwarranted.”
Now Queensland CEO Ben Ikin says Maroons fans will not have forgotten Leniu’s treatment of a local legend.
Leniu was pulled from a media day by NSWRL officials on Monday, fearing any comments would only fan the flames between Leniu and Thurston, who is a member of Billy Slater’s Maroons’ coaching staff.
“‘JT’ is one of the most beloved figures in Queensland, and I’ve no doubt that everyone who’ll wear the Maroons jersey next Wednesday saw what happened at Suncorp Stadium that night,” Ikin said.
Spencer Leniu can expect to be targeted by the Maroons next week because of his run-in with Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston.Credit: Michael Howard/SMH
“Will Spencer Leniu be a target? I think so, just not in the way he expects. But then again, I’m not the coach.”
Blues coach Laurie Daley said of Leniu on Monday night: “Spencer’s focus will be on what he needs to do for the team, not on JT or what people are looking to say or do. They can target him all they want, but he’ll handle it. There will be no worries.
“He’s a strong ball-carrier who loves being a part of this team, and he’s a wonderful teammate.”
Blues back-rower Liam Martin, who won three premierships with Leniu at Penrith – and who is no stranger to be public enemy No.1 in the Sunshine State – said of the anticipated frosty reception for Leniu: “He thrives on the physicality and competitiveness.
“It certainly brings out the best in him – he grows another foot taller and takes it on. I’m really excited to see what he can do up there next week. He won’t take a backward step. He’ll look to rip in.”
Leniu, one of the damaging front-rowers in the game, clashed twice with Thurston on the same night last month. The prop later posted on his Instagram account: “I never wanted to talk to JT. He kept trying to come speak to me.
“I said, ‘Lad idc [I don’t care] if you hate me for what I did [calling Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’ in Las Vegas]. But don’t come up to me asking me questions like we’re Algood (sic). Don’t be two face. Hate me lad I’m eetswa [sweet] with that. But don’t be fake. I hate fake people.”
Thurston responded in a statement: “Let me start by saying I was shocked by what unfolded Friday night; the comment [made by Leniu] was not of a racial nature but was overly aggressive in tone and unwarranted.”
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