NSW tipping Maroons fans to spark Blues’ ‘loose cannon’
Scott Bailey and George Clarke |
Angus Crichton is happy for Queensland fans to poke the bear, adamant Blues “fireball” Spencer Leniu will embrace being public enemy No.1 in Brisbane.
Leniu is set to enter next Wednesday’s State of Origin opener as the most maligned man at Suncorp Stadium, after his sideline spat with Johnathan Thurston.
The NSW forward has been shielded from the media in Blues camp, not speaking to reporters since unleashing a tirade at Thurston at Suncorp last month.
Leniu also labelled the Queensland great “two-faced” and “fake” on social media the next day, in the latest chapter of the racial slur saga from Las Vegas last year.
Thurston admitted afterwards he was “shocked” at the time, which he claimed was both “unwarranted” and “overly aggressive”.
The Maroons great remains one of the most loved figures in Queensland rugby league, and sits on Billy Slater’s coaching staff for this series.
Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin went as far as to suggest this week Leniu would be targeted by the Maroons, with fans also expected to be vocal.
But Leniu’s Sydney Roosters and NSW teammate Crichton said that would play into the prop’s hands, given he thrives on aggression and emotion.
“He’s a fireball and loose cannon, and we love that about him. He’s an asset to our team,” Crichton said.
“I think he has to (be public enemy No.1), and I think he’s happy to take that role.
“We love him and that passion that he’s got. I’ve always got Spencer’s back in supporting him and it’ll be no different this week, heading into the game.”
Leniu was booed at Suncorp Stadium last year, with the Origin III decider his first game in Brisbane since calling Brisbane star Ezra Mam a “monkey”.
Thurston called for Leniu to be handed a 12-game ban, with the Roosters prop believed to be unhappy the issue resurfaced on a podcast in last year’s finals.
Leniu’s former Panthers teammate Brian To’o said it would not be lingering on the bench forward’s mind headed into next week.
“He’s always had that grown-up mindset,” To’o said.
“If something happens with him, he will just deal with it and face it.
“If it gets sorted, then that is it. But if it’s still dwelling, then he will just leave it and keep moving forward.”
NSW players continued their preparations for the series opener on Thursday, facing St Marys’ Ron Massey Cup side in an opposed session at a rain-soaked Blue Mountains.
But what NSW are certain of is Leniu won’t be intimidated in Brisbane.
“He will never shy away from a contest, that’s for sure. I reckon he will be ready to rock,” Dylan Edwards said.
“I imagine we will all get booed up there. I don’t think it will be any different for Spence.
“I just expect him to go out and do what he does as normal. Obviously Origin is a bit more higher intensity and a bit faster.
“But Spence is Spence. He is going to be physical, run extremely hard and tackle extremely hard.”
AAP
