NRL rocked as new vision of heated Johnathan Thurston, Spencer Leniu confrontation emerges

Spencer Leniu and Johnathan Thurston had a heated clash on Friday night at Suncorp, allegedly involving a nasty spray — then a worse one after full-time.

Fresh vision has emerged of the heated exchange between Roosters enforcer Spencer Leniu’s and NRL legend Johnathan Thurston on Friday night.

Leniu and Thurston had two dramatic confrontations during the Roosters’ 26-16 win over the Broncos, with the fiery encounters reportedly stemming from the racism scandal that involved the prop in last year’s Vegas encounter.

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At that time Thurston took a public stand in condemning Leniu over the alleged “monkey” comment he made to Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam in Las Vegas.

And the situation came to a head on Friday night with Leniu reportedly calling Thurston a “f***wit” after coming from the field in the 55th minute of play.

The sideline microphones picked up an inaudible, muffled comment as Leniu left the field near Thurston.

And on Saturday new footage surfaced of another run-in with Thurston at full-time, where Leniu is again seen giving the North Queensland great a piece of his mind as the Roosters’ media manager attempts to pull him away.

You can watch that encounter in the player above.

The North Queensland Cowboys grand final hero was commentating in his role with Channel 9.

Nine Newspapers reported the drama took another turn when Thurston is reported to have approached Leniu to ask the NSW State of Origin forward what the problem was.

It was in that moment that Leniu is reported to have responded by calling the Queensland State of Origin legend a “f***ing c***”.

Thurston reportedly responded: “What’s your problem?”

Broncos star Ben Hunt was seen trying to intervene during the exchange after full-time, while Roosters forward Siua Wong also reportedly tried to curb Leniu.

Thurston later refused to enter the Roosters’ sheds for post-match interviews having been rattled by the incident, Code Sports reported, and had a “robust” discussion with Roosters coach Trent Robinson while complaining about Leniu’s behaviour.

Leniu was suspended for eight games after he called Mam a “monkey”.

Friday night’s clash marked the first time the NSW representative had faced Brisbane since their 2024 Las Vegas match-up.

Spencer Leniu and Johnathan Thurston clash at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: NRL Imagery

Selwyn Cobbo, Johnathan Thurston, Ezra Mam visiting Cherbourg for Indigenous Round

Robinson was asked about the altercation in the post-match press conference, launching a staunch defence of his player.

“There’s a discussion there, but from what I saw there wasn’t any crossing the line there,” Robinson said.

“I don’t know why, Spencer, he didn’t go and approach anybody. I don’t know why you’re trying to put it on Spence here... you guys are trying to put it on Spencer here.

“This is the way the questions are coming, you guys just have got to be careful the way that you guys are asking questions as well.

“I don’t think it’s on anyone, I think it is a discussion between two men. So cool your jets when it comes to accusations around somebody, the way you guys are questioning there you’ve already formed an opinion.

“Two guys having a conversation, it might get heated. But nothing wrong was said, as far as I know and it was about an incident and that’s okay for guys to have that conversation.”

Robinson also said that he believed “someone speaking their opinion, I think is good in this game”.

“They just had a discussion on the sideline, I don’t think the details are really clear yet but it’s just two passionate guys having a conversation about differences of opinion I think.

He also denied that Leniu had any concerns regarding his first appearance against the Broncos since his suspension last season, or any grievances with Thurston.

“No, not that I know of, it wasn’t mentioned at all. I thought he was outstanding tonight, I thought he played with intensity and control he needed,” Robinson said.

“I thought he was great tonight, people are always going to have differences of opinion and you can voice that, it’s okay to say ‘I don’t agree with you’.

“Both sides, there’s no harm done on either side, people aren’t always going to agree but that’s life isn’t it. As long as people don’t cross the line or say the wrong thing.”

Thurston was one of the loudest voices in disagreeing with Leniu’s eight-game ban last season, claiming the NRL needed to hand down a harsher penalty.

“The NRL had a great opportunity there to make a stand, not only for the game but for society as well,” Thurston said following the NRL’s decision.

“I think sports people are held to a higher standard than the rest of the community. But I think the game has failed in this instance.

“I don’t think the eight weeks is sufficient for what has been said and for the mental scars that have been brought up. And what our culture has endured over the history, since colonisation.

“I thought it was a great opportunity to go 12 weeks (and a) blanket ban for all racial verification if you are found guilty.”

— with foxsports.com.au

Originally published as NRL rocked as new vision of heated Johnathan Thurston, Spencer Leniu confrontation emerges