Spencer Leniu accepts he will not be able to stop people branding him a racist after aiming a headline-grabbing slur at Ezra Mam in Las Vegas, and says he would have understood if the Sydney Roosters had wanted to tear up his contract at the time.
Leniu was hit with an eight-match ban fouring the season-opener at Allegiant Stadium in March.
He told the judiciary he had initially described the verbal barb as “fun and games” because
The three-time premiership prop needed just three games to convince coach Michael Maguire he was ready to be unleashed against Queensland for the first time.
Leniu was reluctant to relive the Las Vegas affair on Tuesday, but said the fallout had shown him who was in his corner – and insisted that if he did meet with Mam in the future, the details would be kept private.
“If I was to give some advice to younger players coming through, it’s to know your circle – you will know your circle really fast when you go through tough times like that,” Leniu said on Tuesday.
“Something we get taught growing up is to control your controllables. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I have a small circle. Those in my circle, they are the only opinions that matter.”
When asked if he could understand why some might label him a racist, Leniu said: “I can only control what I can control. Only those in my circle are the opinions that matter to me. If anyone thinks I’m a racist, it is what it is, I can’t control that.
“[The support from Roosters coach Trent Robinson] was a massive thing for me. It would be [understandable] from their end if I had to leave the club. At my end, I want to stay for life. They put their arm around me. I was happy to go out and play footy and repay them back.”
It was reported that several Broncos players had clashed with Leniu in a hotel after the Vegas clash. Brisbane skipper Pat Carrigan was one of the first Queenslanders selected by coach Billy Slater.
Leniu did not expect things to get personal next Wednesday, but said: “To be honest, I don’t think any Origin game is not fiery. If anyone sees Maroon, it’s on. If they see blue, it’s on. I know if I see Maroon, it’s on.
“It comes with playing that prop role. You have to play aggressively, that’s who I am. I can’t wait to rip in. I’m obsessed with this game. With this game, you take the good with the bad. If I get 10,000 boos and one, ‘Hooray’, I’ll take it.”
