‘I was shocked’: Close friend drops real reason Thurston scandal erupted

NRL great Braith Anasta has gone behind the scenes to explain the truth behind Johnathan Thurston’s confrontation with Spencer Leniu.

NRL great Braith Anasta has revealed the real reason Johnathan Thurston and Spencer Leniu were involved in a verbal confrontation on Friday night.

Drama has swirled in all directions since it first emerged Leniu had allegedly called the NRL icon a “f***wit” and a a “f***ing c***” following the Roosters’ 26-16 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

The situation took a twist on Saturday with Leniu calling Thurston “fake” in an Instagram post.

It has since taken another twist with Anasta revealing new details about the moments leading up to the alleged confrontation.

As first reported by CODE Sports, Leniu’s grudge towards the Queensland State of Origin legend originated from comments Thurston made about 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

Nine Newspapers reported Thurston — working in his role as a commentator for Channel 9 — approached Leniu after the full-time siren to ask the NSW State of Origin forward for an interview.

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?”

Anasta has now revealed on Triple M, Thurston was snubbed by Leniu despite the Cowboys grand final hero approaching him for interviews on multiple occasions.

Leniu is not obliged to speak to TV or radio networks at the end of games.

Anasta said he spoke with several players to confirm what really happened.

“So he (Thurston) approached Spencer on a number of occasions and Spencer declined and didn’t want to take the interview with JT,” Anasta said on Triple M.

The Roosters great-turned Fox League NRL 360 host clarified at the start of segment that he and Thurston are close friends.

Braith Anasta hosts Fox League NRL 360.

“The reasons I am hearing that are behind this are… we know a couple of years ago Spencer, in Vegas, he got an eight week suspension for the racist comment against Ezra Mam,” Anasta said.

“Off the back of that, Johnathan Thurston was very public about it and said he should have got 12 weeks instead of eight weeks. I do also believe that Spencer wasn’t happy when Ezra Mam had his car crash with drugs in his system where he put a young girl in hospital and he received nine weeks.

“I believe he (Leniu) thought it was about him wanting JT to come out and say something about that, but he didn’t.

“So I think Spencer is thinking, ‘OK so he came out and criticised me for what I did and got eight weeks, but should serve longer, but when Ezra Mam does what he did and receives nine weeks there’s not a word said’.”

Anasta said he understood Leniu’s decision to reject the interview with Thurston.

“Now, they’re very different incidents and, as I say this, JT is a good mate of mine,” he said.

“He works tirelessly in the Indigenous community so you can see why he’s so passionate about that incident in Vegas and why he was pushing for the extra suspension.

Johnathan Thurston at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Picture NRL Photos.

“But I can also understand why Spencer would think he’s a little hard done by with Ezra. I was shocked with the Ezra incident myself and the amount of time he got served compared to Spencer, so you can understand why Spencer wasn’t happy.

“But it’s probably not the right time or place.”

Anasta agreed with co-hosts Anthony Maroon and Roosters hooker Brandon Smith that it is accepted that players and members of the media exchange grievances - but said Leniu was out of line to do it so publicly in front of a stadium of Queensland fans.

“It’s a good point and it highlights everything,” Anasta said.

“The fact that JT is the most loveable character. I love him. I said again I get along with him great. I’ve won a premiership with him. He’s an amazing human and everyone knows that.

“Because he is maybe a future immortal and he is a Queensland legend, so this gets amplified and he’ll have a lot of support regardless of the facts.”

Leniu was certainly of that opinion when he took to Instagram on Saturday, taking a third swipe at the Cowboys legend, trying to set the record straight.

“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 speaking. 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.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson in his post-match press conference also defended Leniu’s actions.

“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.”

Originally published as ‘I was shocked’: Close friend drops real reason Thurston scandal erupted