Bulldog’s Bite: Time to unleash Spencer Leniu and Latrell Mitchell on Maroons after self-imposed media ban
They may have being stoic during the Origin build-up, but Blues Spencer Leniu and Latrell Mitchell are ready to unleash in front of rabid Queensland crowd. And DEAN RITCHIE demands on behalf of NSW that they play with the intent to hurt.
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On behalf of NSW’s 8.5 million residents, we implore – no, we demand – that Spencer Leniu, the Blues’ silent assassin, the all-action pantomime villain, play with an intent to hurt.
This is State of Origin in rabid Brisbane and Leniu is our man for conflict and hostility.
And a key reason we’re calling for Leniu to rip and tear is the Courier Mail, our sister newspaper in Brisbane, who ran a giant back page headline which screamed: SMASH THIS BLUES GRUB.
It was referring to Leniu.
“Grub is a heavy word but everyone has Spencer’s back. I don’t think the crowd is going to jump in and do anything. He embraces those types of challenges. You want him to play with controlled aggression – that’s who he is,” said Blues coach Laurie Daley.
Leniu may have trained under a self-imposed media ban but Leniu can now go “mental” in State of Origin I, according to NSW five-eighth Mitch Moses.
And Blues teammate Connor Watson said rugby league transforms Leniu into a “different beast”.
Leniu has the wildest eyes in footy since Gordie Tallis. The Sydney Roosters enforcer supplies power, intent and intimidation.
NSW’s coaching staff will want to gently temper Leniu’s aggression but knockabout punters like me want to let the tiger loose.
Let’s hope Leniu really sticks it to Queensland.
He has already engaged in public run-ins with Queenslanders Ezra Mam, Pat Carrigan and Johnathan Thurston over the past 18 months.
He called Thurston a “f***kwit” during a stunning on-field confrontation, had a hallway verbal with Carrigan in Las Vegas last year after earlier calling Mam a “monkey”.
The Courier Mail subhead read: “NSW menace branded Queensland’s new public enemy number one in wake of JT (Thurston) attack”.
Perhaps tongue-in-cheek, former NSW five-eighth Josh Reynolds said: “Spencer doesn’t give a s**t. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s round two with Thurston on the sideline.”
Leniu has to play without restraint. Even Watson admitted Leniu has ‘white line fever’
“Probably, when he crosses it, yeah. He loves it, he loves it,” said Watson. “Once it’s game time he turns into a different beast and gets his game hat on. Spencer likes that hostile environment.
“He is one of the best blokes (away from footy). Honestly, he’s pretty chilled. Even at training he doesn’t go crazy.
“But you can see once he gets onto the field, he soaks it up and turns into the Spencer that runs hard – I’ve never seen a bloke run the ball harder and I’m glad I don’t have to tackle him. He is awesome to have around the team.”
The Suncorp Stadium crowd will taunt and tease Leniu.
He will be public enemy number one but good luck if you think Leniu cares. Hopefully he gives them the one-finger salute after a bold NSW win.
“I guess he does have a little ‘white line fever,’ which is perfect because he’s on my side; perfect, he can go mental,” Moses said.
“When he’s standing next to you, you feel a whole lot more comfortable. Spencer brings a lot of energy when he comes onto the field.
“He bounces around and is full of support. He is someone you want to play with. He is a champion person and everyone loves him here in this team.”
He will be public enemy number one but good luck if you think Leniu cares. Hopefully he gives them the one-finger salute after a bold NSW win.
“I guess he does have a little ‘white line fever,’ which is perfect because he’s on my side; perfect, he can go mental,” Moses said.
“When he’s standing next to you, you feel a whole lot more comfortable. Spencer brings a lot of energy when he comes onto the field.
“He bounces around and is full of support. He is someone you want to play with. He is a champion person and everyone loves him here in this team.”
And if Queensland want to jeer another NSW rascal then look no further than Latrell Mitchell.
And if Queensland want to jeer another NSW rascal then look no further than Latrell Mitchell.
Here is a man for the big stage, a player who embraces the spotlight, thrives on the limelight.
Mitchell is perhaps the most naturally gifted rugby league player I have seen since the great Brett Kenny.
Cop the tip, Queensland. Goad Mitchell at your peril.
“He can turn a game in the blink of an eye,” Thurston once said about Mitchell.
Mitchell’s opposite Robert Toia will be scared witless. Origin can be a lonely place when you’re young and rattled.
I’m on assignment here in Brisbane for Origin I and Queensland’s self-importance never subsides.
Even after last year’s 2-1 series loss, there is this air of arrogance up here. Vanity, ego, superiority – all traits in Queensland and all inaccurate.
There are two men who can knock the stuffing out of the Cane Toads. Spencer and Latrell.
Godspeed, champions.
Go the Blues.
Originally published as Bulldog’s Bite: Time to unleash Spencer Leniu and Latrell Mitchell on Maroons after self-imposed media ban
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