Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu go silent in telling State of Origin bans

Two NSW star players have vowed to go silent in camp in a telling move ahead of the State of Origin series opener next week.

NSW coach Laurie Daley has reiterated Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu will be on a self-imposed media ban up until the State of Origin series opener to avoid inflaming tensions in the lead-up to Game 1.

Mitchell has rediscovered his best form since returning from injury for the Rabbitohs, cementing his spot in Daley’s squad with a matchwinning performance against the Broncos a fortnight ago.

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The Rabbitohs star will come up against Maroons debutant Robert Toia and shapes as one of NSW’s most important players this series, but it appears Mitchell is content to let his footy to the talking, optning not to speak to media in camp.
It comes after he faced criticism last year for an expletive-laden radio interview immediately after an NRL game.

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.

Leniu, who has been named on NSW’s bench, had a tense altercation with Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston following the Roosters’ game against the Broncos in early April.

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

The North Queensland Cowboys grand final hero was commentating in his role with Channel 9 and will be present throughout the Origin series in his capacity as a Maroons assistant and Nine commentator.

Spencer Leniu was in good spirits arriving at Blues camp. Picture Thomas Lisson

But the Roosters forward won’t be talking to the media. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Leniu used the slur “monkey” while barking at Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam during their Las Vegas clash last year. Leniu was banned for eight matches as a result.

At that time Thurston took a public stand in condemning Leniu and suggested Leniu should have been rubbed out for 12 matches.

Mam was banned for nine games for driving with drugs in his system and crashing a car last October, injuring a child a woman in the car. He played his first NRL game of the season in Brisbane’s loss to the Dragons on Sunday.

Latrell is happy to let his footy do the talking. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Daley told Fox League’s NRL 360 he doesn’t expect Leniu or Mitchell to do any interviews in the lead-up to Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.

“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.

“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.”

Spencer Leniu and Johnathan Thurston had a confrontation earlier this season. Picture: NRL Photos

NSW and Queensland have named their squads for the series opener, with both states set to select debutants.

Daley opted for Mitchell Moses at five-eighth over Jarome Luai and overlooked Tom Trbojevic and Terrell May.

Bulldogs forward Max King has been named on the NSW bench and is line to make his debut.

Queensland coach Billy Slater sprang a surprise by picking Roosters rookie Robert Toia in the centres, despite the youngster only having played 10 NRL games.

Beau Fermor and Trent Loiero are also in line to make their debuts for Queensland.

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu go silent in telling State of Origin bans