‘Don’t be fake’: Second photo emrges as NRL scandal twists

The NRL scandal between a NSW State of Origin star and Johnathan Thurston has twisted with new claims and a second photo emerging.

Spencer Leniu has accused Johnathan Thurston of being “fake” after their heated confrontation on Friday night.

Thurston was left visibly impacted by two alleged off-field incidents with the NSW State of Origin prop forward following the Roosters’ 26-16 win over the Broncos.

The NRL icon is reported to have been given two verbal sprays by Leniu, including one during a heated incident inside the tunnel of Suncorp Stadium.

According to CODE Sports, the duo’s altercation stemmed from the racism scandal that involved the prop forward at the start of the 2024 season.

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

The situation exploded again 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.

Spencer Leniu and Johnathan Thurston. Photo: Instagram, Spencer Leniu and NRL Photos.

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

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?”

However, the situation too another dramatic twist on Saturday morning with Leniu going public on social media to take a third swipe at the Cowboys legend.

“I never wanted to talk to JT. He kept trying to come speak to me,” part of the Leniu’s caption said.

A second photo showed both Leniu and Thurston spaking. Picture: NRL Photos.

“Lad (I don’t care) that you hate me for what I did. But don’t come up to me asking me questions like we’re (all good).

“Don’t be two face (sic). Hate me lad I’m ‘eetswa’ (sweet) with that.

“But don’t be fake. “I hate fake people.”

He went on to write: Nothing more. Nothing less”.

It comes as a second photo of the incident emerged with Thurston and Leniu both sharing words when they crossed paths on the sideline.

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 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.

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 ‘Don’t be fake’: Second photo emrges as NRL scandal twists