‘Smash This Blues Grub’: NSW fume over Spencer Leniu blast

Spencer Leniu’s showdown with Queensland has taken an explosive turn, with the NSW camp reportedly fuming over a commentary around the Blues firebrand.

Maroons legends have crowned Blues firebrand Spencer Leniu public enemy No. 1 and urged Queensland to bash the ‘new Paul Gallen’ for revenge over his sideline spat with Johnathan Thurston.

Leniu can expect to be booed by the 52,000-strong sea of Maroon at Suncorp Stadium in Wednesday night’s Origin series-opener.

Adding to the tension was the The Courier-Mail’s backpage on Tuesday which called for the Maroons to ‘Smash This Blues Grub’ in reference to Leniu, a move that has reportedly ruffled some feathers in the Blues camp.

The NSW wild child was already on the nose in Queensland following the Las Vegas racism scandal last year involving Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam which resulted in the Roosters prop copping an eight-match suspension.

Spencer Leniu confronted Johnathan Thurston after the Roosters’ win over Brisbane this year. Picture: NRL Photos

But Leniu took his reputation a new low when he verbally attacked Maroons legend Thurston during a Roosters-Broncos game at Suncorp earlier this year.

Leniu reportedly labelled 37-game Queensland great Thurston, a member of Billy Slater’s Maroons coaching staff, a “f***wit” in the sideline encounter that went viral.

Now the Maroons have been told to get revenge on the crazy-eyed Leniu, who will be unleashed from the bench by Blues coach Laurie Daley.

“It’s game-defining,” Maroons great Billy Moore said of Leniu’s impact.

“I can guarantee you 100 per cent … when Spencer Leniu comes on he will make a difference and the challenge to all the Queensland forwards will be to match his fire. I know they will.

“We need to rise to the challenge and blunt him because if we don’t, the Blues will win.

“Spencer is a very passionate player and I have no doubt he loves being the villain. He wouldn’t care one bit if the Queensland fans hate him, a bit like Paul Gallen.

“I guarantee Spencer Leniu will rip and tear and they better be ready for it, because like the sunrise, it’s coming.

“Leniu will be a NSW tsunami and Queensland have to take it head on. He won’t blink and Queensland can’t blink first.”

The story has created waves with the boring Blues.

NSW coach Laurie Daley was shown a back page of Queensland’s calls to target Leniu and said the Blues firebrand being labelled a “grub” was harsh.

The Courier-Mail backpage.

Leniu, 24, has been on a media ban since the Thurston stink and hasn’t spoken publicly in the lead-up to his fourth Origin for NSW.

There is no doubt fans will make their feelings known when he gets on the field and ex-Queensland forward Corey Parker said the Maroons had to target him.

“If I was playing for Queensland, Leniu was one guy you definitely want to go after because he plays aggressive, he plays with passion and hatred. That’s Origin,” he said.

“I love the way Leniu plays. He is aggressive and fiery and that’s what we want to see.

“Leniu’s strength is his speed and power and the way he lifts the tempo off the bench. But as good as his strengths are, he also has weaknesses so Queensland have to target that.

Spencer Leniu an expect a rough reception at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“Everyone will paint Leniu as the villain, but this is Origin and he’s playing in the front row. He is coming off the bench so Queensland can’t just wait for him, they have to go after the starting middles as well.”

Leniu could confront Roosters teammate Lindsay Collins, a bench forward for Queensland who will likely come into the action around the same time.

Collins said he expected Leniu to come out firing, but he wasn’t the villain he had been made out to be.

“He is an absolute gentleman,” Collins said.

“He has a good character.

“(I’m expecting) the same as what you always expect from Spencer.

“He is a big ball of energy with powerful carries.”