Wayne Bennett hits out at ‘drama queens’ as Spencer Leniu pleads guilty in racism storm

NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett declared rugby league “is not a racist game” as Spencer Leniu admitted to calling Ezra Mam a “monkey”.

Wayne Bennett declared the NRL "is not a racist game". Photo: Getty Images and Fox Sports

NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at questions the sport has a racism issue as Roosters star Spencer Leniu revealed he did call Broncos half Ezra Mam a “monkey” during the Las Vegas season opener.

The ugly incident has been the biggest talking point out of the weekend with reports of a clash back at the teams’ hotel and stars coming out in support of Mam, including Latrell Mitchell, who called for the forward to be wiped out of the game for half the season.

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Leniu had previously said the incident was “all fun and games” on the field but was referred directly to the judiciary, which will be held on Monday night.

On Thursday, Leniu admitted he did use word “monkey” on field during the historic fixture and entered a guilty plea to the charge, with speculation the suspension could be between six and 10 weeks.

“I want to apologise to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am sincerely sorry to cause him such distress,” Leniu said.

“I’ve put my hand up and want to take ownership of this. I said the word but I didn’t mean it in a racist way. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not who I am.”

Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said Leniu had been “completely open and honest throughout this process” and the club would continue to support him, as well as extending an apology from the club to “Ezra, his family and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community”.

The Broncos responded with a statement that included: “The Broncos acknowledge Spencer’s apology to Ezra and the importance of taking that step. There is no place for racism in our game or in our society.”

Leniu upon arriving back in Australia. Picture: Rohan Kelly

However, Dolphins coach Bennett called for calm and common sense over the Leniu situation and the potential penalty.

“We are not a racist game,” Bennett said via the Courier Mail.

“The game doesn’t have to take a strong stand on this. The game has always taken a stand on racism. It’s bulls**t to think otherwise.

“We don’t tolerate racism in our game and we have always included all races – we can all be one in rugby league. It happens very irregularly in our game.

“I am proud of the game and I am proud of the way we as clubs conduct ourselves, regardless of what race you are.

“All the drama queens should stay out of the argument.”

NRL stars have taken it on themselves to stand with Mam over the week, but Mitchell raised headlines when responding to a post from SEN and Fox League commentator Andrew Voss who said Leniu could be wiped out for half the season.

“And some …” Mitchell wrote.

Wayne Bennett has weighed in on the Leniu saga. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Bennett added he doesn’t condone racism in any walk of life.

When asked about the length of suspension the NRL should hand out to Leniu if he’s found guilty, Bennett called for calm.

“The game has to handle this in the manner they handle any other situation that’s thrown at it,” Bennett said.

“The NRL may have to come up with a penalty, but if he is found guilty, I don’t believe it should be an overkill penalty. It should be a fair and reasonable penalty and we all move on.

“We have all been in a situation where we have said something we regret, including the very people now calling for blood.

“We have all been guilty of saying something silly. He (Leniu) can’t take it back and it’s been said. The Roosters guy is of Polynesian descent.

“But the game has acted the way it should do, it got reported and the game will deal with it.”

Bennett, who coached Indigenous stars of the game including Steve Renouf, Wendell Sailor, Sam Thaiday and Mitchell, said: “Of course you feel for players who are racially abused — it hurts them.”

Leniu could be facing a monster ban with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys saying there would be a significant penalty if the Roosters forward was found guilty.

“We will not tolerate it, but this player (Leniu) is going to be given every chance and opportunity to defend himself. He deserves natural justice and due process and he will get that,” he said.

Leniu has since pleaded guilty. Picture: NRL Photos

Speaking on Triple M’s The Rush Hour in the wake of the statement, dual international Sailor said: “Well done to all involved here.

“It’s certainly not a reflection of the club because it holds high standards.

“Look Spencer understands he did something wrong there, he’s owned it, and whatever the outcome is, I’m sure everyone will learn from this.”

Former Swans star Jude Bolton said it still didn’t sit right how the situation developed over the past week.

“I just didn’t like the way it unfolded and it seemed to simmer over even afterwards when the teams clashed back at the hotel,” he said.

Roosters fan and co-host Gus Worland added: “Let’s just hope we can get this out of the game.”

However, plenty more fans slammed the apology.

6 News Australia reporter Aidan Edgecomb posted: “I’m sorry – this is not an apology. It is very clear the context in which Leniu meant it, directed towards an Indigenous player. There is absolutely no excuse for pleading ignorance here.

“His actions in post game interviews and in the hotel was not ‘open and honest’.”

Another fan wrote: “The apology from Leniu isn’t good enough. Apologies don’t have ‘but’ in them.”

Others were calling for Leniu to “get the book thrown at him”.

Originally published as Wayne Bennett hits out at ‘drama queens’ as Spencer Leniu pleads guilty in racism storm