‘Needs to be a line in the sand’: Indigenous stars speak out on Leniu racism row

Indigenous star Nicho Hynes says the NRL must draw “a line in the sand” regarding racial vilification as Roosters prop Spencer Leniu prepares to front the NRL judiciary to answer allegations of calling Brisbane’s Ezra Mam “a monkey”.

Leniu flew back into Sydney on Tuesday morning and was ushered out of the airport by Roosters staff, telling reporters that “I’m not allowed to comment on that right now” when pressed on the alleged racial slur that has overshadowed the NRL’s Las Vegas venture.

Mam gave a brief statement at Brisbane Airport when he touched down, saying: “I just want to say thank you for the support from everyone that’s reached out. That’s all the comments I have for now.”

While fellow Indigenous leader Latrell Mitchell endorsed a lengthy suspension for Leniu should he be found guilty, Hynes stressed that he was not casting judgement on the matter given Leniu’s hearing date is still being finalised, and may not take place until next Tuesday.

The Sharks halfback spoke passionately, though, about the impact racist comments still have in the game, pointing to recent examples of players – including Mitchell – being racially abused by spectators, and said heavy punishments are needed to stamp them out for good.

“I’m not just trying to put it all on Spencer,” Hynes said. “I feel like there needs to be a line in the sand and this will be the moment that it happens.

Roosters prop Spencer Leniu put on a brave face as he returned to Sydney on Tuesday.Credit: Janie Barrett

“It has to happen. Any person in the game, if they get racially vilified by a spectator, they’d want to go hard at them. So I feel like this all just has to happen to the player.

“It’s hard to comprehend what happened. I’ve reached out to Ezra and the Indigenous boys are all behind him. Back in the day, our elders did experience a hell of a lot of it and that’s the hardest thing now – that old trauma gets brought up and that’s what’s really upsetting.

“It’s above my pay grade now to deal with that, and I’m sure the NRL and whoever’s in charge of giving out punishment will probably do the right thing.”

Mam, who is of Torres Strait Islander descent, accused Leniu of using the racial slur against him late in the Roosters’ 20-10 victory on Sunday (AEDT), and was reportedly in tears after the match.

Leniu argued with Broncos stars Pat Carrigan and Kotoni Staggs in their shared Las Vegas hotel just hours after the match, while his post-game comments on the alleged incident – which he described as “just fun and games on the field, a bit of banter”, and invited Mam to “come and see me” – have been poorly received by several players and Broncos opponents.

Staggs, Mitchell and Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker are among the players who have supported Mam on social media, with Mitchell responding to an SEN Radio post proposing an eight-to-12-week ban for Leniu should he be found guilty, by replying “and then some”.

With players and NRL officials returning from Las Vegas on Tuesday, the Leniu saga could drag until next Tuesday – nine days after the Mam incident – with the NRL prepared to wait until the completion of round one to hold the hearing.

The Roosters can formally apply for the matter to be dealt with earlier, possibly the end of this week.

Nicho Hynes has spoken out in support of Ezra Mam.Credit: Getty

But the NRL is mindful the game was played in the US, and players and officials are still returning to the country on different flights.

The fact the Roosters are also not playing this weekend is another reason there is no urgency to fast-track the hearing.

Broncos players who heard the alleged slur are prepared to testify at the judiciary while Mam will play against South Sydney in round 2.

Coach Kevin Walters praised his players for defending Mam when Leniu clashed with Brisbane opponents again at the team hotel.

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, who landed in Sydney at the same time as Leniu and the Roosters, did not believe the allegations against Leniu had tarnished the NRL’s historic double-header on American soil.

“It could not have gone better. Unfortunately we had an incident on the field, but let’s let the process happen, [Leniu] deserves due process and natural justice, and he should be given every opportunity to defend himself.

“But I will say, however, that we will not tolerate racism at any level whatsoever.”

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