NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos hit back at Roosters over latest racism claims

Brisbane has responded to “upsetting” claims from the Roosters camp accusing an unnamed Broncos player of racially abusing Spencer Leniu. Read Matt Ballin and Steve Renouf’s passionate responses.

Deadly Choices ambassador Steve Renouf has praised Ezra Mam. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Broncos have hit back at the Roosters over allegations a Brisbane player racially abused Spencer Leniu as club legend Steve Renouf applauded Ezra Mam for taking a strong stand on racism.

Brisbane were rocked by claims from the Roosters camp that an unnamed Broncos player was also guilty of firing a racial slur at Leniu during last week’s drama-charged clash in Las Vegas.

Leniu has pleaded guilty to calling Brisbane’s Indigenous pivot a “monkey”, but the racism saga took an explosive twist when it was alleged one of Mam’s teammates also fired a slur at the Roosters prop.

Breaking the club’s silence on the shock claim, Brisbane assistant coach Matt Ballin said the Broncos were keen to move on from the affair, leaving the definitive judgment to the NRL judiciary.

Asked about the Roosters’ allegations, Ballin said: “I don’t think that really affects us, but it’s upsetting.

“As a club we are supporting Ezra and making sure he is OK.

Deadly Choices ambassador Steve Renouf has praised Ezra Mam. Picture: Liam Kidston

“That speaks volumes for this club and playing group, the way everyone has rallied around him and just got on with what we need to do and helped him in this tough time.”

Mam also found a cultural ally in one of the code’s greatest Indigenous players, Steve Renouf, who has previously spoken about his own battles with racism in rugby league.

Renouf, the Broncos’ all-time leading tryscorer with 142 tries from 183 games, has been a long-time ambassador of the Deadly Choices program and applauded Mam for calling out Leniu’s racist comment.

“The good thing is how strongly Ezra stood up and he stood up for his people,” Renouf said.

“That is amazing.

“Ezra has matured a lot in a short period of time, we saw his performance in the grand final last year, he has done this as a young man and there is a reason for that, because he grew up in a strong family. He stands up for what he believes in.

“I think we have all experienced racism and everyone handles it differently.

“I was brought up to go with it. I was brought up to be resilient, but times are changing.

“I see these young players within the NRL and they are speaking their mind and I say good on them.”

Matt Ballin says the unfounded allegations are “upsetting”. Picture: NRL photos

Ironically, the Deadly Choices program has spread its tentacles to Roosters heartland, with Renouf having worked with the Bondi glamour club on improving the quality of life of Indigenous people.

“It’s a new partnership we have with the Roosters and they will learn from stuff like that,” Renouf said of the successful Indigenous program.

“When we did a bit of work with the Brisbane Lions, they got a bit lost with community engagement and we felt what better way for them to get back into the community than come through Deadly Choices.

“Ezra has a long family history within Deadly Choices. His grandparents were on board, his aunty Pam was our patron and his uncle Steve is a massive supporter.

“His whole family are involved with Deadly Choices and Ezra was born into Deadly Choices, he has known it as long as he can remember.

“I guess it (the Deadly Choice family) is a bit of a support for Ezra and what a beautiful young man he is.”

Ezra Mam in his Deadly Choices kit. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Renouf believes the code can learn from the Leniu-Mam saga.

“It’s about everyone within rugby league and Australia getting that education (on racism),” he said.

“Unfortunately there hasn’t been enough of that across the country.

“The good thing about Deadly Choices, you don’t have to be Indigenous to be involved, you get to learn about our culture and why things are like they are today.

“It’s a good thing.”

Mam will return to the field for Brisbane’s round 2 clash against the Rabbitohs on Thursday night and Ballin is confident the five-eighth has not been scarred by the Leniu experience.

“Ezra is great,” Ballin said.

“He is a great young man with a lot of energy and flamboyance.

“He comes in and does all his reviews and we haven’t noticed a change (in his personality).

“Ezra has some stuff he is going through, but he has been quite resilient and he brings a lot of energy to our club.”