By Nick Wright
Broncos coach Kevin Walters has refused to weigh in on what a sufficient punishment should be if allegations of a racial slur directed at Ezra Mam are proven, but declared his star five-eighth was in no doubt to take the field next week.
Brisbane’s historic trip to Las Vegas was marred in controversy, after Mam lodged an official complaint against Sydney Roosters enforcer Spencer Leniu during the club’s 20-10 defeat on Sunday.
Ezra Mam accused Roosters prop Spencer Leniu of directing a racial slur at him.Credit: Getty
Mam was heard telling the referee that Leniu called him “a monkey”, and the latter has since been charged with contrary conduct and referred to the NRL judiciary.
Reports also emerged that Leniu and Broncos players Mam, Pat Carrigan and Kotoni Staggs had a confrontation in their Las Vegas hotel after the game.
The NRL is facing pressure to come down hard on Leniu if he is found guilty, with commentator Andrew Voss calling for an eight to 10 week suspension, and South Sydney fullback and Indigenous icon Latrell Mitchell replying “and then some” on an SEN Radio post.
While Walters did not witness the hotel exchange, he spoke proudly of what he had heard from his players for the way in which they rallied around Mam.
He said the 21-year-old would be firing to take on the Rabbitohs next Thursday at Suncorp Stadium, but admitted the controversy had put a mark on what was otherwise a monumental occasion.
“I won’t go into punishments of it all; it’s in the NRL’s hands. We’ve done what we need to do as a club, and now it’s handed on to the NRL,” Walters said.
“The NRL are now dealing with it, and we’re dealing with it in-house with our player Ezra. We’re getting around him, he’s OK, but it was a tough night for him post-game.
“Particularly in that space, it’s just not tolerated any more, anywhere in life, in the community. Rugby league is part of the community. Ezra has every right to be upset and stand up for himself as an Indigenous player.”
Mam has been inundated with support across the rugby league community, with the likes of Mitchell, Staggs and Lote Tuqiri particularly vocal on the issue.
Indigenous All Stars and Gold Coast Titans centre Brian Kelly also backed Mam for calling out the alleged abuse, proud that the matter was not left on the field.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing and needs to be stamped out of the game,” Kelly said.
“We’re here as one, so let’s just build each other up instead of tearing each other down.
“You’ve got to call it out, otherwise there’s no change, so I’m backing Ez 100 per cent.”
Walters said he had already relived his side’s defeat as the Broncos sought to bounce back quickly.
A concussion to edge forward Brendan Piakura forced a reshuffle, with star lock Pat Carrigan moved out wide to accommodate the absence of the promising rookie.
But Brisbane desperately missed the Queensland sensation in the middle of the field, and Walters confirmed the likes of Jaiyden Hunt and Xavier Willison would come into selection contention to ensure they had greater depth in the backrow.
Brendan Piakura, pictured at Broncos training in Brisbane, is touch and go to line up in round two.Credit: Broncos Media
Piakura will be touch and go to take the field next Thursday night, given the NRL’s policy that those who suffer concussion cannot play within 11 days of the incident. The night of the club’s battle with South Sydney will fall on the 11th day since the Roosters’ encounter.
“He seems to be OK, that’s out of my hands. It’s in the doctors hands now, but Brendan seemed pretty good post-game and then also today in his travels he seems fine,” Walters said.
“We’re definitely looking at a reshuffle there. We did miss Patty through the middle, but we were just a bit off in a few areas, and that was one of them.
“Losing one of your key players early is never great, particularly to concussion ... it’s an important position on the edge, and we moved one of our best middles to do that.
“We’ll have a rethink about that from a coaching point of view and make sure we get it right for game two.”
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