Spencer Leniu likely to return from NRL ban over racist slur just in time to for Broncos rematch

The NRL judiciary is faced with the predicament of freeing Spencer Leniu to return from suspension just in time for a rematch with the Broncos.

Spencer Leniu and the Broncos will likely resume hostilities in round nine.

The NRL is facing the uncomfortable predicament of allowing Roosters forward Spencer Leniu to return from his racial slur ban just in time for a rematch with the Broncos in Brisbane.

In a potentially powder keg scenario, the Roosters are scheduled to tackle Brisbane in round nine on Friday, May 3.

It will be the first time the two sides meet since their explosive opening round clash in Las Vegas that has been overshadowed by Leniu being charged for calling Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam a “monkey’’.

Such was the level of emotion surrounding the incident, Leniu is alleged to have confronted Mam back at the hotel where the teams were staying in Las Vegas.

Leniu offered to fly to Brisbane to apologise to Mam during the week but Mam rejected the peace offering.

Leniu will face the NRL judiciary panel on Monday night after pleading guilty to the contrary conduct charge.

Spencer Leniu and the Broncos will likely resume hostilities in round nine.

It has been reported that the Roosters high-profile recruit from Penrith is facing between six to eight weeks suspension.

A seven-match ban would result in the unlikely scenario of Leniu returning against Mam and the Broncos.

A six-match suspension would allow Leniu to return the week before, on Anzac Day against the Dragons.

NRL star Latrell Mitchell has been outspoken in calling for Leniu to be handed at least a 12-match ban, which would mean the forward would not face a volatile Brisbane crowd.

The longest suspension since the NRL’s inception was handed down to Storm forward Danny Williams, who was suspended for 18 games for a king-hit on Mark O’Neill in 2004.

The most recent verbal slur to receive a ban was Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya who was banned for four games in 2022 for a homophobic comment directed at Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt.

Leniu will be represented by prominent barrister James McLeod, who the Roosters have previously used to represent Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

The Roosters are likely to argue that Leniu’s admission of guilt and subsequent apology to Mam should be taken into account when determining the length of suspension.

“I want to apologise to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am sincerely sorry to cause him such distress,” Leniu said in a club prepared statement.

Broncos players Billy Walters and Payne Haas are expected to supply written statements rather than appear at the judiciary in person.

Leniu’s suspension will be offset by the return of Waerea-Hargreaves from his own seven-game ban in round two against the Sea Eagles at Four Pines Park next Sunday.

The Kiwi international gained much-needed match fitness by playing in the NSW Cup on Saturday.

Originally published as Spencer Leniu likely to return from NRL ban over racist slur just in time to for Broncos rematch