NRL news: How Brandon Smith ended Spencer Leniu, Jared Warea-Hargreaves feud | Saint, Sinner, Shoosh
Six months ago they were at the centre of one of the most heated scuffles of the season. Now Spencer Leniu opens up on burying the hatchet with new teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
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Roosters recruit Spencer Leniu has lifted the lid on the conversation he knows everyone wants the intel on – his first meeting with new teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Leniu revealed it was Brandon Smith who helped ease the situation as the two firebrands came together for the first time since clashing on the field in June.
The pair were both sin-binned as tempers flared when Leniu was playing out his final months as a Panther, having already committed to the Roosters for 2024.
They hadn’t spoken since until Leniu fronted up at Roosters headquarters earlier this month.
“There was a lot of speculation how that first interaction would go,” Leniu smiled.
“Everyone speaks about it and everyone wants to know what that first interaction is going to be like. You think about scenarios about how it will go down.
“I wasn’t nervous. It was like the nerves you get going to a new school. I wasn’t just nervous to meet Jared. I was nervous just being at the Roosters.
“I was a Penrith Panther. I just wanted to do what it takes to win and I’ll take that mentality into the Roosters.”
So what happened when they finally met?
“It was a normal bring it in hug,” Leniu said.
“He was asking how I’ve settled into the area and how I was feeling. That’s pretty much it. Nothing too awkward.”
Smith ensured nothing was going to linger between the players who he may pack down alongside.
“We were in the physio room and Cheese (Smith) being the cheeky guy he is when Jared walked in he said, ’Have you guys sorted your stuff out yet?’” Leniu said.
“And that broke the ice.”
Instead of going head-to-head with Waerea-Hargreaves, Leniu said he was salivating at the prospect of joining forces with the ageing warrior.
Waerea-Hargreaves needs just two games to join the 300 club and by the end of next season, he may pass the baton onto Leniu to lead the club going forward.
Leniu said he wanted to make the most out of learning from the veteran Kiwi.
“I’ve heard so much stuff about how good Jared is as a person,” Leniu said.
“I got that impression from when we first spoke. I am keen to learn a lot from him. He has been the pinnacle front-rower for so long. He is a club legend.
“I want to be a sponge and get attributes from his game. He is really soft spoken. When it comes to footy, you see red and you do everything you can for your teammates.
“I see myself as doing anything for my teammates and that’s not different to Jared.
“It was two bulls going at each other. That’s what excites me. You have two bulls playing alongside each other now.”
Leniu is on track to make his debut for the Roosters in Las Vegas next year.
He said it was a surreal moment to be asked to help launch the game in his first official duties as a Roosters player.
“Never in a million years did I think I would be playing a game in America,” Leniu said. “My dream was just to play in the NRL. It adds to the excitement.
“Never in a million years did I think I would play for the Roosters. To get to put those two together and make my Roosters debut, I am looking to have a big one.”
SAINT
The four players the NRL chose to represent them on the world stage. Spencer Leniu, Aaron Woods, Billy Walters and Campbell Graham were great ambassadors who took on the challenge of spreading the rugby league gospel with great enthusiasm. Hopefully it’s a sign of things to come.
SINNER
The bright lights of Vegas. Temptation city will be at the doorstep of more than 100 players and staff in March. The hotel may be a 30 minute walk from the action but there is still plenty of mischief to be found inside the hotel precinct.
SHOOSH
Which member of the touring party found unexplained broken glass in their suitcase? They were forced to purchase a new bag.
SHOOSH I
Which of the players had to rush home earlier than the others in order to prepare for a team training camp?
SHOOSH II
A planned photo shoot poolside with the four NRL players had to be halted because there was not a lifeguard on duty. The pool deck had no-one else on it. It is the middle of winter. And it was a children’s pool.
SPOTTED
South Sydney part-owner Mike Cannon-Brookes chatting with Rabbitoh Campbell Graham courtside at the Utah Jazz and New York Knicks clash at Salt Lake City on Wednesday night. Cannon-Brookes also has a stake in the Jazz. Graham nailed a free-throw.
SPOTTED I
NRL boss Andrew Abdo being interviewed by a journalist from Forbes. The local media have shown a growing interest in the game.
SPOTTED II
Billy Walters being recognised on the famed Las Vegas strip and happily posing with some Australian fans who couldn’t believe their luck.
SPOTTED III
The obligatory ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi’ chant by a passer-by when he saw the four players dressed in full kit taking photographs.
SPOTTED IV
Ah it felt like every rugby league press conference in the middle of July for a moment when local reporters were blowing up to each other because of the delay of the Raiders coach to front the media following their loss to the Vikings last Sunday.
SPOTTED V
Aussie clothing designer Daniel Jarvis – the son of former St George forward Pat – flying from LA to Vegas for the NRL launch. Jarvis’ brand Daniel Patrick is a hit with a host of American athletes.
NRL’S VEGAS SHOT CLOCK
The NRL is planning the stadium opener down to the final second. The players were timed walking from the visitors shed and through the tunnel onto the Allegiant Stadium surface to make sure there was a suitable period before kick-off. For the record they beat the allocated two minutes they were given by officials on the ground.
JOURNO’S NFL CRIME
Take this as a warning should you ever find yourself inside an NFL dressing room - never step on the team’s logo otherwise you will be punished.
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Luckily some pity was taken on the foreigner who was not subjected to the usual punishment of push-ups.
The likes of superstar Davante Adams – who is in the midst of a $208 million contract – freely walked around the room. While some of his teammates crowded around a gaming console.
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