Firebrand Leniu and his fellow ‘westies’ are ready to conquer Australia’s west in Origin II

The Blues’ band of “westies” is ready to conquer Australia’s west, and former NSW enforcer Mark Carroll reckons one in particular has the Maroons running scared.

Blues forward Spencer Leniu at training ahead of Origin II. Picture: NRL photos

They are the 13 westies ready to conquer Australia’s west – and one in particular has Queensland terrified.

The Maroons “looked like Tarzan but played like Jane” through their lily-livered refusal to kick-off to rampaging NSW forward Spencer Leniu in State of Origin I.

It was one of the most weak-kneed acts ever committed in State of Origin’s 45-year history.

Leniu, along with 12 fellow westies in the extended NSW squad, will be on a search-and-destroy mission for Origin II as the Blues look to seal a series win in Perth on Wednesday night.

“They talk a big game but Queensland could have kicked to Leniu but they didn’t – they looked like Tarzan but played like Jane,” Greystanes-born former Panthers and NSW enforcer Mark Carroll said.

Former Blues enforcer Mark “Spudd” Carroll said Spencer Leniu was “spewing” at Queensland’s decision. Picture: John Feder/The Australian

“Spencer was frothing, spewing that they didn’t kick to him in Brisbane. What, are they scared of Leniu?”

An incensed Leniu, who was waiting to push off from the back fence, openly sledged Queensland players on-field for kicking to the other side of the field.

Spencer Leniu on the charge in Origin I. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“They kicked away from him because they didn’t want to tackle him,” former NSW captain Paul Gallen said.

NSW forward Angus Crichton was told by an unnamed source close to the Queensland camp that kicking away from Leniu was a “deliberate decision”.

“I’ve heard that from people who were in there. They were told ‘don’t kick it to Spencer’,” Crichton said.

Asked whether he wanted Queensland to kick off to Leniu in Perth, Crichton said: “Yeah, 100 per cent, of course I do. Every rugby league fan wants to see it so hopefully they do it this time.”

Queensland’s mettle will again be questioned should they again choose to kick away from Leniu.

Maroons coach Billy Slater defended the decision, claiming the team wanted to “change things up”.

Asked last week whether his side would kick to Leniu in Perth, non-committal Maroons star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui only said: “We’ll find out our game plan this week.”

Former Queensland forward Corey Parker publicly conceded: “We should have kicked off to Spencer Leniu.”

Bench forward Leniu will be thrown into the action about 20 minutes into Wednesday night’s game.

Winger Brian To'o is one of 14 Blues “Westies”. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images)\

Leniu has prepared for Origin II as he did before the series opener – by placing himself under a strict media ban.

But the Sydney Roosters prop and former Panthers powerhouse will have plenty of western Sydney mates alongside him in Australia’s west.

Remarkably, 13 NSW players have strong links and ties to Sydney west’s – rugby league’s greatest nursery.

Right across the field on Wednesday night will be proud NSW westies, ready to rumble over Queensland and secure an unbeatable 2-0 series lead.

Playmaker Nathan Cleary is another member of the Blues’ Western Sydney brigade. Picture: Adam Head

Other than Leniu, NSW’s Western Sydney brigade comprises Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Max King, Stefano Utoikamanu, Matt Burton and Lindsay Smith.

The Western Sydney NSW halves combination of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai will prove critical and decisive.

Burwood product Keaon Koloamatangi was also in the extended squad from Origin II until Sunday night, when he was ruled out after suffering a suspected fractured eye socket in Souths’ loss to the Bulldogs.

WEST IS BEST

Dylan Edwards (Penrith)

Brian To’o (Penrith, Westmead-born)

Stephen Crichton (Canterbury, St Clair junior)

Zac Lomax (Parramatta)

Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers, former Panther, St Marys junior)

Nathan Cleary (Penrith, Windsor junior)

Max King (Canterbury)

Liam Martin (Penrith)

Isaah Yeo (Penrith)

Stefano Utoikamanu (Parramatta u20s, Cabramatta junior)

Spencer Leniu (Former Panther, Minchinbury junior)

Matt Burton (Canterbury, former Panther)

Lindsay Smith (Penrith, St Marys junior)

Originally published as Firebrand Leniu and his fellow ‘westies’ are ready to conquer Australia’s west in Origin II