Roosters coach Trent Robinson has launched an impassioned defence of Spencer Leniu following the forward’s fiery interaction with NRL legend Johnathan Thurston on Friday night.
In two separate incidents during and after the Roosters’ win over Brisbane, Leniu allegedly called Thurston a “f***wit” and a “f***ing c***”, with Thurston responding: “What’s your problem?”
The duo’s altercation stems from last year’s racism scandal which resulted in Leniu copping an eight-week suspension, a suspension that Thurston believed wasn’t harsh enough.
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Robinson was aware of the incident when he fronted the media in his post-match press conference.
He vehemently defended Leniu while accusing the press of “already forming an opinion”.
“There’s a discussion there, but from what I saw there wasn’t any crossing the line there,” Robinson said.
“I don’t know why, Spencer, he didn’t go and approach anybody. I don’t know why you’re trying to put it on Spence here … you guys are trying to put it on Spencer here.
“This is the way the questions are coming, you guys just have got to be careful the way that you guys are asking questions as well.
“I don’t think it’s on anyone, I think it is a discussion between two men. So cool your jets when it comes to accusations around somebody, the way you guys are questioning there you’ve already formed an opinion.
“Two guys having a conversation, it might get heated. But nothing wrong was said, as far as I know and it was about an incident and that’s okay for guys to have that conversation.
“They just had a discussion on the sideline, I don’t think the details are really clear yet but it’s just two passionate guys having a conversation about differences of opinion I think.
“Both sides, there’s no harm done on either side, people aren’t always going to agree but that’s life isn’t it. As long as people don’t cross the line or say the wrong thing.”
Leniu was facing the Broncos for the first time since the racism row in Vegas of last year which involved him and Brisbane pivot Ezra Mam.
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