Ezra Mam breaks silence on Spencer Leniu saga, thanks players for rallying around him

Broncos pivot Ezra Mam has no regrets over his strong stance in the Spencer Leniu racism saga, but say he is ready to lay down arms.

Ezra Mam has talked about the racism scandal. Picture: NRL Photos

Ezra Mam has broken his silence on the Spencer Leniu racism scandal with the Broncos pivot insisting he has no regrets over his stance as he vowed to continue to stand up for “my culture”.

Speaking for the first time since the racial firestorm in Las Vegas, Mam revealed the affair took a toll on him, but says he is prepared to eventually smoke the peace pipe with Roosters rival Leniu.

Rugby league’s historic season opener in America was marred by Leniu calling Mam a “monkey”, with the Roosters enforcer subsequently banned for eight games by the NRL judiciary.

The final game of Leniu’s suspension will be in round 9, meaning the former Penrith bookend will miss coming face-to-face with Mam in the Broncos-Roosters blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.

It’s been 52 days since Mam was rocked by Leniu’s slur and while time has healed wounds, the Broncos playmaker pledged to tackle racism as an NRL star proud of his Indigenous heritage.

Ezra Mam has talked about the racism scandal. Picture: NRL Photos

“I just stuck to what my beliefs are and how I was brought up as a strong cultural man,” Mam said.

“If there’s anything I’m proud of, it’s my culture and that’s what I’m going to stick up for.

“It’s what I stick up for, it’s my identity and that’s the reason why I am here.”

Asked if he had any regrets over lodging an official complaint, Mam said: “No. I just want to stay present and look forward to this weekend so that’s the last time I will answer those questions.”

In the wake of Leniu’s comment, South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell launched a stinging attack on the Roosters front-rower, calling for him to be banned for an extended period.

Mam revealed he was inundated with messages of support from several NRL players and lauded the backing of Mitchell for calling out Leniu’s behaviour.

“It was definitely a huge thing for other players to come out on behalf of me and reach out to me,” he said.

“It lifted me up and lifted my spirits up.

“It’s good to see all the Indigenous and non-Indigenous players reach out to me.

“I will just play good footy now, it was a long time ago.”

The Leniu-Mam saga took another explosive twist when it emerged the Roosters prop also clashed with his Broncos rival at the Las Vegas hotel at which both teams were staying on the same floor.

Leniu later reached out to Mam, offering to fly to Brisbane to personally apologise to the Broncos pivot. Mam rejected the offer, but says he is now open to burying the hatchet with the Samoan Test hit man.

“When the time is right, we will have a chat,” Mam said.

“I appreciate that he wanted to come up and reach out to me.

“Obviously, I have moved on from that now. I will probably just have a chat to him when I see him or whenever it is.”

Asked how he handled the racism saga, Mam said: “It was a bit tough, but in saying that it was a long time ago.

“I’m not going to talk about it anymore. I’ll get on with the season and start playing some good footy.

“I am looking forward to being in the present.”

Mam was sensational last Saturday night, setting up three tries in Brisbane’s 34-10 rout of the Raiders, but the 21-year-old says his form has been too erratic so far this season.

With senior scrumbase partner Adam Reynolds returning this week from injury, Mam wants to shift gears against the Tigers.

“I had a couple of involvements last year where I thought I was pretty good. I haven’t got back to my best footy at the moment yet this year,” he said.

“It is just a matter of finding that balance and taking my opportunities.

“It’s always a bit of a responsibility for myself when ‘Reyno’ isn’t there.

“It’s a big confidence boost for myself to lead the boys around and try and put my best footy together when he isn’t there.

“It will be a huge boost having him back in the team.”