Spencer Leniu is “ready to make up for lost time” when he returns from an eight-week suspension against the Warriors on Sunday, as Sydney Roosters teammates backed the prop to keep his cool.
Leniu was hit with a monster ban for calling Brisbane’s Ezra Mam a “monkey” in the fiery season opener in Las Vegas, and has since completed a “second pre-season” on the training paddock.
His inclusion is a huge boost for the Roosters, who will also celebrate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ 300th game for the club against the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday.
Leniu looked a picture of health at training on Tuesday and coach Trent Robinson wasted no time slotting him straight back into the 17 when the teams were released in the afternoon, retaining fellow middles Terrell May and Naufahu Whyte.
The three-time premiership Panthers prop fronted one of the biggest judiciary hearings in years back in March, where he maintained he believed the slur directed at Mam was “fun and games” because “I thought it was one brown man sledging another brown man”.
Indigenous Roosters utility Connor Watson was conflicted when the incident occurred at Allegiant Stadium, but was glad to hear Leniu express remorse afterwards.
Look who is back: Spencer Leniu at training on TuesdayCredit: Louise Kennerley/SMH
“It was a weird place to be in,” Watson said. “I’ve spoken to Spence about it. He’s really sincere, he knows he said the wrong thing and [has] served his time. I think it’s time to move on from it. He’ll want to make up for lost time.”
Leniu has a reputation for losing his cool – he was baited by the Broncos before the Mam incident – but Watson said the extended break had also forced him to reflect on his discipline.
“I think having this little bit time off might have given him some time to think about that,” Watson said.
“You just have to watch the footy for one minute to see what he brings. There’s an intensity he plays with, the way he runs the ball, the way he defends, the energy he brings – I’m glad I’m not tackling him any more.
Spencer Leniu clashes with Kotoni Staggs minutes after calling Ezra Mam a “monkey” in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty
“I used to come out of games against Penrith, when he came on, he was the hardest bloke to tackle. It will be good to play behind him when he’s making those sort of runs.”
Part of the appeal about joining the Roosters for Leniu was to play with Waerea-Hargreaves. The Kiwi veteran missed last weekend’s win over Brisbane because of a calf complaint and did not train on Tuesday, but is expected to play on Sunday.
Centre Joey Manu said of Waerea-Hargreaves’ absence: “Jared always has a few days off, especially early in the week – the back end of the week he’s firing and trying to take people’s heads off at training.
“He’ll be right. We’re at home, Allianz, 300 games for the club, he will want to play. It will be good.
“It will be good for Spence. Jared has been the top front-rower for over a decade now. To watch him do his thing at training, those two on the field together will be pretty cool.”
As for Leniu keeping his emotions in check, Manu said: “There are a few boys on the team that really like to play on the edge. It’s good for us. You need someone who pushes that boundary. He’s all energy. He obviously got it wrong last time. We just want him out on the field.”
Meanwhile, Roosters players welcomed news David Fifita was in the club’s sights as he weighs up lucrative offers from the Bondi club and premiers Penrith.
Manu said the club was well stocked for back-rowers, but Fifita was a huge attacking threat, while Watson recalled being terrorised on an edge on more than one occasion when going up against the “absolute beast” and Queensland Origin representative.
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