Ivan Cleary expresses astonishment at accusations against former player, while Lote Tuqiri criticizes Trent Robinson in the aftermath.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary expressed surprise at the allegations against former Panthers star Spencer Leniu, stating that any racial slur from Leniu would be “out of character” considering Cleary coached him since the beginning of his NRL career in 2019. Leniu, now with the Roosters, has been accused of calling Brisbane Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam a “monkey” during a game in Las Vegas, leading to him being sent directly to the judiciary. Cleary remarked that the situation is under NRL investigation and emphasized that such behavior would be uncharacteristic of Leniu.
Former premiership-winning winger Lote Tuqiri criticized Roosters coach Trent Robinson for his handling of Mam’s complaint, particularly taking issue with Robinson’s statement that Mam’s complaint “doesn’t mean it’s right.” Tuqiri argued that if a player claims racial vilification, it should be taken seriously, rejecting any suggestion of gaslighting. Tuqiri expressed full support for Mam and called out Robinson’s remarks, especially in contrast to his handling of previous incidents like Latrell’s abuse from fans.
Meanwhile, star five-eighth Jarome Luai is expected to play against the Storm in Friday’s match in Melbourne after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the World Club Challenge loss to Wigan. Cleary expressed excitement about Luai’s return and the growth of the team’s combinations. Additionally, Cleary noted Luai’s motivation to end his final season with the Panthers on a high note before joining the Wests Tigers in 2025 on a lucrative five-year deal. He highlighted the trend of players performing exceptionally in their final seasons with the Panthers and expressed hope for continued success with Luai and the team’s collective effort.
