NRL 2023 Round 15 judiciary wrap: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Spencer Leniu cop massive fines
Future teammates Spencer Leniu and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have been punished by the NRL for Saturday night’s explosive brawl - and it’s going to cost them dearly.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The NRL’s match review committee has dished out almost $10,000 in fines to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Spencer Leniu after the star props and future teammates were embroiled in a fiery encounter on Saturday night.
Both players escaped bans but were cited with two grade one contrary conduct charges each for their involvement in the incident.
The enforcers were at the centre of one the most heated moments so far this season late in Penrith’s 30-6 win over the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Waerea-Hargreaves and Leniu, who will join the Roosters next season, had to be separated after the clash between the sides reached boiling point.
The two big boppers were seen exchanging verbal barbs when Waerea-Hargreaves then sprayed Leniu with water, before throwing the bottle at him.
That only further infuriated Leniu and the young forward invited the Roosters veteran to settle their differences in the stadium car park.
Waerea-Hargreaves copped a $3000 fine, with an early plea, for throwing the bottle at Leniu and another $3000 for his involvement in the scuffle.
Leniu was slapped with a $1800 fine for making an inappropriate gesture towards Roosters fans as he left the field towards the tunnel when he was marched by referee Adam Gee.
He also was also slapped with a $1800 fine for the melee.
For Leniu, the fines mean he will be available for both NSW Blues selection, and free to line-up for Penrith on Friday night against North Queensland as he continues to press his claims for Origin.
The explosive exchange was made even more awkward by the fact Leniu will report to Roosters preseason training in six months time.
“I was thinking that (Leniu) is coming to our team next year and he’s already off half our team, that’s going to be interesting,” Roosters captain James Tedesco said.
Back in 2015, former South Sydney forward George Burgess was charged with grade two contrary conduct and copped a two-week ban for throwing a water bottle from the bench at Roosters rival Kane Evans.
It’s not the first time Leniu has let the opposition know his feelings, in no uncertain terms, after a tense encounter with South Sydney’s Taane Milne in last year’s preliminary final.
Leniu had to be restrained by Penrith trainers from reaching Milne when the forward crossed paths with the Rabbitohs centre as he left the field for a head injury assessment.
Milne had just been sent off for an ugly head high shot on Leniu that threatened to rub the Penrith prop from the grand final with concussion.
Waerea-Hargreaves wasn’t the only Rooster hit in the hip pocket by the match review committee on Sunday afternoon.
Hooker Jake Turpin was cited for a grade one shoulder charge on Jaeman Salmon, which attracted a $3000 fine with an early plea.
Back-rower Nat Butcher will escape a grade one crusher tackle on Lindsay Smith with a $3000 fine.
Brisbane five-eighth Ezra Mam will be forced to fork out $1,800 for a grade on dangerous contact charge on Newcastle’s Dane Gagai.
While, South Sydney’s Michael Chee Kam rounded out an expensive Super Saturday for players after he copped a $2500 for a grade one dangerous throw on St George Illawarra’s Blake Lawrie.
FUTURE TEAMMATES CLASH AS TENSIONS EXPLODE
By Martin Gabor
Tensions exploded at Allianz Stadium, as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Spencer Leniu had to be separated by teammates after almost coming to blows, as the Panthers heaped more misery on their rivals with a 30-6 win.
There has been a lot of talk about footy players stepping into the boxing ring, but there can only be one main event with promoters scrambling to set up a heavyweight bout between Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Spencer Leniu.
The old bull and the young buck will be teammates next year but it’s going to be an awkward pre-season after the pair almost came to blows in one of the most heated moments of 2023.
“It started from Jared. He was looking for trouble. That was obvious. And he found it,” Cleary said.
“There were numerous incidents, and I think the balance of probability was that Jared was the one initiating it.”
Panthers players were already furious with the Roosters prop after he cocked an elbow that caught Moses Leota high and drew blood, forcing the Panthers big man off for an HIA.
“If I’m truthful, yeah I did (have an issue with it),” Cleary replied when asked about the contact.
“I think it was very questionable. The way that he looked and saw him and the way it was cocked, I do (have an issue with it).”
That was just the tip of the iceberg with Waerea-Hargreaves ditching the fuel to literally pour water onto the fire when he squirted a water bottle and then threw it at the Panthers firebrand.
Leniu had to be restrained by teammates who struggled to hold him back as he shouted at his opponent and gave him the mother of all death stares.
Both men were sent to the sin bin but not before Leniu continued his verbal barrage with the fans which included an inappropriate gesture that could get him in trouble.
“It was great for footy. That’s why people enjoy watching footy,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.
“There was nothing in it from either end. There wasn’t much to it. I don’t think Jared did anything wrong in any of it. Guys tried to race out of the line and belt him, and that’s really unfortunate for Liam to cop that hip.
“And then Jared was getting his bumpers up like every guy does in every tackle they run into. That’s a forwards battle, and then it flared up.
“It’s good theatre. Move on.”
SIX APPEAL
Blues coach Brad Fittler simply must pick Jarome Luai for game two in Brisbane after the Panthers star orchestrated a stunning win with halves partner Nathan Cleary out injured.
There’s been plenty of talk about recalling former Souths teammates Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds for the must win showdown at Suncorp Stadium, but Luai has booked his ticket to Brisbane and should decide who partners him.
The classy five-eighth was superb on Saturday night as the two-time defending premiers made it 13 wins from their past 16 matches without Cleary calling the shots.
It’s a terrifying stat for the rest of the league who would have hoped to see them slide without their champion No.7, but they somehow looked even better against a Roosters side that doesn’t look like a team that will play finals footy.
Luai was one of NSW’s best players in the game one defeat and was involved in plenty of attacking raids on Saturday, finishing the night with a couple of try assists as Penrith returned to the top of the ladder.
Panthers lock Isaah Yeo sent a minor scare through the stadium when he appeared hobbled for a moment or two in the second half, but he shrugged that off and scored a minute later having had another try disallowed earlier in the game.
RUTHLESS MANLY HAND DOLPHINS BRUTAL REALITY CHECK
—Matt Cleary
The most fretted-over hamstrings in New South Wales have survived another examination after Manly’s superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic ran roughshod over the Dolphins at 4 Pines Park on Friday night.
Trbojevic scored a double, ran freely and hard (amassing 201 run metres and three tackle breaks), drawing defenders like moths to flame as his team hammered the Dolphins 58-18.
Where Trbojevic went, Sea Eagle success followed.
“He’s been outstanding,” Manly coach Anthony Seibold said. “Our spine’s only played four games together this year and we’ve scored 150 points or something in four games.
“That’s what happens when those four guys are playing together. We’re a much better side.”
Hooker Lachlan Croker had one of his best games for the club, scoring a try and setting up another in the 10-tries-to-three demolition.
GARRICK EQUALS RECORD
Reuben Garrick, in his preferred position of right centre, scored a hat-trick of tries and set up three others.
Garrick, of Gerringong, also kicked nine goals from 10 attempts, saved a try in the corner and scored 30 points to equal the club record he shares with himself, Matthew Ridge and Ron Rowles.
“He was really good tonight,” Seibold said. “We think that’s his best position going forward that right centre … we need to build some continuity and cohesion there.
“But I really like the look of him there. I really like the look of Tolu [Koula] on the other side.
“So we’ll go with that next week and see how we go.”
Koula ran with great pace and scored a double while winger Jason Saab also scored a double.
DOLPHINS SLAUGHTERED
It was the Dolphins’ first game in Sydney, they had important players on the sideline and Manly was coming off a bye.
Yet not even the alchemy of super coach Wayne Bennett could save the visitors from an old-fashioned slaughter in front of 14,598 fans.
“We didn’t play well, it’s pretty simple to work that one out,” Bennett said. “You don’t have to be a coach to work that one out.
Asked why Bennett replied: “Good question. That’s one I can’t answer for you. I didn’t expect that. We’ve been through so much and handled so much … I didn’t expect it.”
The Dolphins missed 31 tackles and lost Brenko Lee (ankle) and Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder).
The pair join a Dolphins injury list which includes Sean O’Sullivan, Anthony Milford, Jarrod Wallace and Tom Gilbert.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow glided over for a second half double yet the visitors appeared listless on occasion and will enjoy the bye before Origin game two.
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2023 Round 15 judiciary wrap: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Spencer Leniu cop massive fines
Stars snubbed in wild Kangaroos bombshell
Mal Meninga has dropped bombs on three of the biggest stars in the game as the Kangaroos coach announced his squad.
NRL fans crash Brockmann run, told off
After fans finished up at Accor Stadium, some ventured next door to pay Nedd Brockmann a visit, with one fan being told to quiet down.