Johnathan Thurston in State of Origin drama as NSW forward’s ban emerges

Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston is back in the spotlight with new details emerging from his altercation with a NSW star.

Johnathan Thurston’s feud with Roosters forward Spencer Leniu is about to get another chapter.

The Queensland State of Origin legend will cross paths with the NSW livewire as the teams prepare for the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.

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The beef between Thurston and Leniu has been put back in the spotlight with QRL boss Ben Ikin on Monday saying he expects the Maroons pack to target the NSW prop because of his actions towards the North Queensland Cowboys icon.

Thurston has again returned to his part-time role on Billy Slater’s coaching staff and joined the team in camp in Brisbane on Monday night.

Leniu and Thurston had two dramatic confrontations during the Roosters’ 26-16 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium last month with the confrontations reportedly stemming from the racism scandal that involved the former Penrith prop in last year’s season-opening Las Vegas weekend.

Thurston at the time took a public stand in condemning Leniu over the alleged “monkey” comment he made to Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam.

The situation exploded when Leniu reportedly called Thurston a “f***wit” after coming from the field in the 55th minute of play.

The North Queensland Cowboys grand final hero was commentating in his role with Channel 9.

Nine Newspapers reported the drama took another turn when Thurston is reported to have approached Leniu to ask the NSW State of Origin forward what the problem was.

It was in that moment that Leniu is reported to have responded by calling the Queensland State of Origin legend a “f***ing c***”.

Thurston reportedly responded: “What’s your problem?”

Ikin has now told The Sydney Morning Herald the incident has not been forgotten by members of the Queensland camp.

“JT is one of the most beloved figures in Queensland, and I’ve no doubt that everyone who’ll wear the Maroons jersey next Wednesday saw what happened at Suncorp Stadium that night,” Ikin said.

“Will Spencer Leniu be a target? I think so, just not in the way he expects. But then again, I’m not the coach.”

Leniu and superstar Blues teammate Latrell Mitchell informed the press on Monday they will not be speaking to reporters in the build up to the game.

Johnathan Thurston reportedly asked Spencer Leniu what the deal was. Picture NRL Photos

Mitchell and Leniu took part in team photos as the Blues kicked off their 10-day camp at the NSW Centre of Excellence in Sydney, but the pair declined to speak to the media.

The SMH reports it was NSW Origin officials that made the call to pull Leniu out of interviews with concerns his comments could inflame his situation with Thurston.

Leniu has been on a self-imposed media ban and has not conducted any formal media interviews since the Thurston incident.

NSW coach Laurie Daley told Fox League’s NRL 360 he doesn’t expect Leniu to do any interviews.

“I don’t think they will,” Daley said.

“Obviously they want to focus in on their football. And I think people know the storylines that people want to bring up.

The moment Spencer Leniu confront Johnathan Thurston.

“So there’s no reason to inflame any situation that these guys might find themselves in.

“It’s better off to keep them away and focus on their football. Hopefully they play well Wednesday week.”

Thurston at the time called Leniu’s behaviour “overly aggressive”.

The NRL did not take any action at the time because Thurston did not make an official complaint.

After news reports about Leniu’s actions after the game emerged Leniu then took another swipe at Thurston on social media.

In a post on Instagram, Leniu denied approaching Thurston and launched a fresh attack at the Maroons great.

“I never wanted to talk to JT. He kept trying to come speak to me,” part of the Leniu’s caption said.

“Lad (I don’t care) that you hate me for what I did. But don’t come up to me asking me questions like we’re (all good).”

“Don’t be two face (sic). Hate me lad I’m ‘eetswa’ (sweet) with that. But don’t be fake. “I hate fake people.”

Thurston was not the only person to cop a drive by from Leniu with Code Sports reporting Broncos hooker Billy Walters was also snubbed by the NSW State of Origin prop.

According to Code, Leniu called Walters a “snitch” before walking on.

Walters had been at dummy half when Leniu used the slur “monkey” while barking at Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam during their Las Vegas clash last year.

Originally published as Johnathan Thurston in State of Origin drama as NSW forward’s ban emerges