Craddock: If racism allegations are true, NRL must throw the book at Spencer Leniu

If the allegations of racist remarks by Rooster Spencer Leniu against Bronco Ezra Mam are true, then the NRL must learn from one of cricket’s darkest moments, writes Robert Craddock.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 02: Spencer Leniu (r) of the Roosters exchanges heated words with Kotoni Staggs of the Broncos during the round one NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos at Allegiant Stadium, on March 02, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Where cricket cowered in the corner, rugby league must show courage when it confronts the racism scandal that has erupted in Las Vegas.

When Andrew Symonds was allegedly called a monkey by Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh in Sydney in 2008, Cricket Australia went weak at the knees after India threatened to abandon the tour.

When Singh was given a token penalty from the International Cricket Council, Cricket Australia decided against protesting because they could not afford to risk India flying home, much to the anguish of board member Allan Border.

Symonds, feeling acutely let down by his bosses, was never the same player or person again.

If, as he been alleged, Roosters prop Spencer Leniu called Bronco Ezra Mam a “monkey’’ there can be no such equivocation – he deserves to have the book thrown at him.

Spencer Leniu (r) of the Roosters is confronted by Mam’s teammates in Vegas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Given the way the world has been evolving in terms of racial abuse it is almost beyond belief that Leniu could even think the word, never mind say it.

But, if found guilty, it will serve as a vivid reminder that just when you think the world has moved on from such degrading behaviour is actually hasn’t.

In bygone eras even players of the stature of Arthur Beetson could not avoid cruel racial taunts on the field which would be deemed horrifying by today’s standards.

The message for the Broncos after their loss to the Roosters shone as starkly as a neon sign on the Las Vegas strip – the hunters have become the hunted.

When the Broncos stormed to the grand final last year after years of mediocre-to-horrible performances there was the sense that they jumped from nowhere to somewhere so quickly they almost surprised themselves and their opponents.

But, just as the Roosters showed in Las Vegas, the competition is on red alert for them this year. Expect it to be like the old days when teams seemed to find an extra 10% playing Brisbane.

Nothing will come easily. The Broncos 2023 charge up the ladder last season was invigorating and exceeded expectations by so far by the end of the season it was almost as if they were, to use a Vegas analogy, playing with the casinos chips.

Symonds and Singh’s incident almost blew up the 2008 series.

But the challenge to stay there will require incredible mental and physical grit.

You can already see there are fresh plans to contain the brilliant Reece Walsh, white hot pressure on Adam Reynolds and a greater awareness by rivals of the powers of Ezra Mam.

Tom Flegler’s absence robbed the Broncos pack of the spoonful of mongrel every pack needs.

Kurt Capewell’s departure to the Warriors might not have been seen a major blow but he is a standard-setter, a good talker and clean-up man and the Broncos missed all three of these qualities in Vegas.

The Roosters, along with the Eels, Sea Eagles and Rabbitohs, were among big clubs who had poor years last year. The Broncos took advantage of the plodding form of these clubs to skip past them into the grand final but all of these outfits should improve this year.