Fresh details have emerged of Spencer Leniu’s stunning on-field confrontation with rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston, with the Roosters front-rower reportedly calling Broncos hooker Billy Walters a “snitch” during the ordeal.
During Friday evening’s NRL game between the Roosters and Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, Leniu and Thurston became embroiled in an explosive bust-up that stemmed from former’s racial attack on Brisbane five-eighth Ezra Mam.
Last year, Leniu received an eight-week suspension after calling Mam a “monkey” during the dramatic season opener in Las Vegas, with Thurston heavily criticising Leniu at the time.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$2.52
$1.53
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$3.30
$1.34
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
$1.72
$2.13
*Odds are current as of 20th April 2025, 4:46am AEST
VIEW ALL SCORES
CHANCES ARE YOU'RE ABOUT TO LOSE. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
According to a News Corp report, Leniu allegedly called Thurston a f***wit” after he was substituted off the ground in the 56th minute of the Roosters’ 26-16 victory. Later, Thurston confronted Leniu after the final whistle, prompting the duo’s on-field blow-up, which spilled from the sidelines into the venue’s sheds and involved Broncos playmaker Ben Hunt and security guards.
Leniu reportedly accused Thurston of being a hypocrite for not criticising Mam as harshly after the 22-year-old pleaded guilty to drug driving following a head-on collision with a vehicle that contained a four-year-old girl.
News Corp also reported that Leniu snubbed a handshake attempt from Broncos hooker Billy Walters, with the Samoa representative calling him a “snitch” for his involvement in the Mam racism spat and accusing Walters of giving him up.
“Spencer didn’t go and approach anybody, so I don’t know why you guys (media) are trying to put it on Spencer here,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said during the post-match press conference.
“You guys just have to be careful with the way you guys are asking questions as well.
“There’s no harm done on either side. People won’t always agree but that’s life. As long as people don’t cross the line or say the wrong thing.
“It’s a discussion between two men, I don’t think that’s the end of the world.
“Just cool your jets when it comes to accusations around somebody.
“The way you guys are questioning there, you have already formed an opinion.”
JT & Leniu get HEATED in tense exchange | 00:30
In an Instagram post, Leniu denied approaching Thurston and launched a fresh attack at the Maroons great.
“I never wanted to talk to JT. He kept trying to come speak to me,” Leniu wrote.
“Lad (I don’t care) that you hate me for what I did. But don’t come up to me asking me questions like we’re (all good).
“Don’t be two face (sic). Hate me lad I’m ‘eetswa’ (sweet) with that. But don’t be fake.
“I hate fake people.”
Thurston, meanwhile, issued a statement that read: “Let me start by saying I was shocked by what unfolded Friday night.
“On a podcast 12 months ago, I made a comment on the penalty issued to Spencer Leniu by the NRL in regards to racial comments he had made.
“As a proud Indigenous man, I clearly do not endorse Spencer’s remark in Las Vegas last year. However, the comments I made were an opinion on the penalty he was given and it is an opinion I stand by.
“As Spencer left the field during last night’s match he made an abusive comment to me, which took me and those around me by surprise.
“The comment was not of a racial nature but was overly aggressive in tone and unwarranted.
“After the match, I approached Spencer on the field to seek clarity on what he said and why he had said it. Spencer was again overly aggressive, and it became clear that he had interpreted the comments I made 12 months ago as a personal attack on him which was not the case.
“A further conversation took place later with Roosters officials and Spencer outside the sheds. I remain available if Spencer or the Roosters would like to discuss this matter privately.”
