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‘Says something’: Fresh vision shows how Broncos reacted to Leniu amid racism claims

Fresh vision has emerged showing Broncos players Ezra Mam and Billy Walters reacting to an apparent remark by Roosters prop Spencer Leniu.

Billy Walters and Spencer Leniu
Billy Walters and Spencer Leniu

Fresh vision has come to light showing Broncos players Ezra Mam and Billy Walters reacting to an apparent remark made by Roosters prop Spencer Leniu.

The footage release comes on the same day Walters has confirmed he is prepared to give evidence backing up Mam’s claims that Leniu racially abused him during the 69th minute of the Roosters’ 20-10 win over the Broncos in Las Vegas.

On Wednesday night’s episode of NRL 360, Fox League’s James Hooper said Walters and potentially Broncos star prop Payne Haas are willing to make statements at the judiciary.

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“This (vision) has come to light today. The NRL have been trying to find audio of the incident, but they haven’t been able to obtain that,” Hooper said.

“Billy was asked the questioned this morning and he has confirmed that if required, he and I think it’s also Payne Haas as well, are prepared to go into the judiciary and provide a statement.

“They were in the vicinity of where the alleged incident occurred.”

“If there’s a guilty plea, then he (Walters) isn’t required. But if he (Leniu) pleads innocent, than Billy Walters will give evidence,” Paul Kent added.

This led Anasta to introduce the never before seen footage.

“We’ve uncovered some fresh vision of when we believe the incident occurred,” he said.

“Spencer Leniu looks up at Ezra Mam and says something. Watch Billy Walters’ reaction here and he chases him further. Look again, Billy is still talking to him in the background.”

Billy Walters reacts to Spencer Leniu during the Vegas game. Photo: Fox League.
Billy Walters reacts to Spencer Leniu during the Vegas game. Photo: Fox League.
Billy Walters and Spencer Leniu (centre). Photo: Grant Trouville
Billy Walters and Spencer Leniu (centre). Photo: Grant Trouville

Kent would then say that the vision of Walters and Mam engaging with Leniu happened two tackles before the incident was reported on field.

“It looks like Billy has heard something. Bear in mind Braith, this is two tackles before the incident was reported to the referee,” Kent said.

“Certainly Billy Walters reacts to it, certainly Spencer Leniu says something. We’re sort of one step further down as far as the evidentiary chain goes because we can see there’s some verbal exchange.

“You see the way Billy Walters straight away turn (towards Leniu). Players can sometimes have a deaf ear towards these things but he’s reacted straight away to it. So he will claim that what has claimed to be said by Ezra Mam was what was actually said.”

Leniu will likely face the judiciary next Tuesday night.

Originally published as ‘Says something’: Fresh vision shows how Broncos reacted to Leniu amid racism claims

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/nrl/says-something-fresh-vision-shows-how-broncos-reacted-to-leniu-amid-racism-saga/news-story/23a4e6277e3e38f5d7293cc4bc438183