Queensland legends urge Maroons to kick-off to Spencer Leniu and go after Blues firebrand in Game 2

After refusing to kick-off to him in Game 1, Spencer Leniu will undoubtedly be queuing up for another hit-up in Perth, with Queensland legends urging the Maroons to “make it personal” and go after the NSW firebrand this time round.

“Everyone in Queensland wants the Maroons to smash Spencer Leniu.”

With those words, Maroons forward legend Billy Moore has appealed for Queensland to kick-off to Leniu in Origin II and make him eat humble pie by belting the Blues firebrand into submission on Wednesday night.

And Moore – the man who coined the famous ‘Queenslander’ chant – has poured further fuel on the fire by claiming Leniu “hasn’t really delivered” in the Origin arena.

Queensland copped brickbats for refusing to kick-off to Leniu in their 18-6 loss in Origin I, prompting the NSW bench hitman to go into a rage, sledging Maroons players as “f***ing pussies”.

Now Moore says Queensland’s character is on the line, challenging Maroons players to get personal and make Leniu eat his words by winning a kick-off war in their bid to square the series at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

“My hope is that they whack him in a three-man gang tackle,” Moore said.

Maroons legend Billy Moore has called for the Maroons to smash Spencer Leniu in game two. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I would totally, absolutely love for Queensland to kick it to him.

“It has to happen.

“Everyone in Queensland wants the Maroons to smash Spencer Leniu.

“The 1995 Queensland side (which beat NSW 3-0) would not stand for Spencer’s carry on.

“That Blues team had an international forward pack led by Mark Carroll and Paul Harragon, but we didn’t care, our Maroons forwards made it personal and that’s what Billy Slater’s troops should do.

“The ‘P’ in Perth is personal for Queensland. Give Spencer exactly what he wants … here’s the ball big guy, let’s see what he can do with it.

“I would give him exactly what he wants – kick the ball to him – and then let’s see how the big fella handles running it back.

“That will send a clear message to everyone in the stadium that the Maroons won’t be bullied by Spencer Leniu.”

Spencer Leniu has emerged as public enemy No.1 for the Maroons. Picture: Adam Head

Queensland’s legendary 1995 skipper Trevor Gillmeister said Maroons godfather Arthur Beetson would have relished going after Leniu.

“We would have kicked it to him without a doubt,” he said.

“I hope they kick to him. Make it personal. Get into him. Bring it on. Imagine saying to Greg Dowling, Sam Backo, ‘Artie’ (Beetson) or Gavin Allen that you were going to kick to Leniu.

“They would say, ‘Great … let’s do it’.”

Spencer Leniu was not happy when the Maroons didn't kick to him

Leniu has played four Origin games, all off the bench, since his NSW debut last year.

Moore, a 17-game Queensland great, said the jury remains out on Leniu’s Origin bona fides and urged Maroons players not to let the Roosters tearaway win the territorial battle.

“I don’t want to see Spencer make the advantage line and that will put everyone in Blue on notice,” he said.

“Leniu probably hasn’t delivered really (in State of Origin).

“Two years ago, before he went to the Chooks, he was the best bench forward in the game.

“I don’t think starting suits him.

Leniu has maintained his self-imposed media ban in the build-up to Origin II. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“He isn’t playing as well as he was at Penrith, but that’s understandable when you are following in (James) Fisher-Harris and (Moses) Leota.

“Leniu is not in career best form but we have to be ready for him to drop the hammer and almost invite it, let’s provoke him and say let’s get it on.”

In the wake of NSW’s Game One win, Leniu goaded Maroons fans at Suncorp Stadium and Moore suspects the Blues enforcer doesn’t fear Queensland’s pack.

“Leniu basically said we were pussies who lacked a bit of courage,” he said.

“All cards are on the table now.

“His first touch of the ball … if it’s a tap restart or a straight carry, we can’t let him across the advantage line. That’s where I would be saying to the Maroons the speed of your line should be a statement to the Blues and a call to arms for the Maroons forward pack.

“It’s time for Queensland’s forwards to put up or shut up.”

Maroons enforcer Tino Fa’asuamaleaui rubbished suggestions Queensland players are intimidated by Leniu.

“Whoever’s in front of us, we are not taking a backwards step,” he said.

“The fire is definitely there. We’ve just got to be smart and know our game.

“We need to treat the ball like gold and make sure we don’t hand it over with silly opportunities.

“We had a really honest conversation with each other as players and coaches about what we need to do in Game Two.”

Former Maroons skipper Gorden Tallis said Queensland should turn the screws on Leniu and NSW’s forwards if they take the lead in Perth.

“It all depends where we are in the game and how we are going,” said the NRL 360 co-host.

“If it’s level-pegging and he comes on, absolutely kick it to him.

“But if we are under the pump … we were getting outplayed in Game One, we were holding on by the skin of our teeth.

“No-one kicks to the strong ball carriers in that situation.

“I didn’t think it (Queensland kicking away from Leniu) was as big as what was made out, but if it is and they want it, I reckon we kick off at him.

“If Tino (Fa’asuamaleaui), Mo (Fotuaika) and all the big boys are on, I reckon we go at him.”

Originally published as Queensland legends urge Maroons to kick-off to Spencer Leniu and go after Blues firebrand in Game 2