NRL 2024: Latrell Mitchell, Nicho Hynes throw support behind Ezra Mam following alleged racism

Nicho Hynes is the latest NRL player to throw their support behind Ezra Mam, following Latrell Mitchell’s explosive call for Leniu to receive a monster ban.

Spencer Leniu has been called in front of the NRL judiciary. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Latrell Mitchell’s feud with the Sydney Roosters has taken another explosive twist after the South Sydney superstar called for the NRL to throw the book at Spencer Leniu over the racism scandal.

In response to suggestions on SEN Radio on Tuesday morning that Leniu may miss half the season over allegations he called Brisbane star Ezra Mam a “monkey”, Mitchell responded on social media by saying: “And some.”

Mitchell won a grand final with the Roosters but his relationship with the club has been acrimonious since, reaching its nadir when he was handed a lengthy ban for a high hit on Joey Manu in 2021.

Mitchell was suspended for six games over the incident. He has now lent his weight to calls for Leniu to be handed a monster ban should he be found guilty at the NRL judiciary of a racial attack on Mam.

While Mitchell has suggested any suspension should be at least 12 weeks, this masthead has been told that Leniu is likely facing a ban of between six to eight weeks.

Nicho Hynes with an Indigenous Sharks jersey at a press conference on Tuesday. Picture: David Riccio

Mitchell’s Indigenous All-Stars teammate Nicho Hynes has implored the NRL to take a strong stance against any racial slurs and declared it’s “hard to comprehend” allegations Broncos star Ezra Mam was called a “monkey” by Roosters opponent Spencer Leniu in Las Vegas.

Hynes, who was brandishing his club’s Indigenous jersey on Tuesday in a show of support for Mam, didn’t accuse Leniu, who is set to face the judiciary next week, of making the comment.

But he stressed that the sport had to have a line-in-the-sand moment to stamp out racism.

“It’s hard to comprehend what happened, I’ve reached out to Ezra and Indigenous boys are all behind him,” Hynes.

“We had a really strong All Stars and to see that come out a couple weeks after, to see that happen – it hurts all our feelings.

Hynes is one of the many Indigenous and non-Indigenous players to show their support for Hynes.

“What it does do now is it brings up old trauma for our elders and our people who have been through it all before.”

Mam has received support from Indigenous and non-Indigenous players across the league, while his Brisbane teammates reportedly confronted Leniu at the team hotel a few hours after the game.

Leniu was placed on report and has been referred directly to the judiciary on a contrary conduct charge, with the Roosters recruit not answering questions on the issue when he touched down in Sydney on Tuesday morning.

“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 punishments will probably do the right thing,” Hynes said.

“You don’t really know what to say about it, we just have to support the hell out of Ezra and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The Roosters firebrand has been sent straight to the judiciary on a contract conduct charge.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Latrell Mitchell, Nicho Hynes throw support behind Ezra Mam following alleged racism