League great Cameron Smith believes Spencer Leniu could have handled his situation with Johnathan Thurston differently following an on-field spat during and after the Roosters’ match.
Leniu launched into a tirade at Thurston on the field as the fallout from the Ezra Mam incident in Las Vegas continues.
The Roosters prop took to social media after the incident, saying he never wanted to talk to Thurston while the latter released a statement, describing Leniu as “overly aggressive”.
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Smith did not want to weigh in on the difference of opinion between the two but did take umbrage with how Leniu handled it.
Cam Smith believes the incident should’ve taken place elsewhere. Nine/NRL Imagery
“I do have an issue with the way Spencer went about it and how he did it. I just don’t think it’s a place to bring that up or confront someone in the middle of the game or post-game in the middle of a stadium. There was 40,000 people there that night, children that look up to these players, watching that unfold, millions of people on TV and I think Spencer got it wrong,” he said.
“That should’ve been a private matter that no one ever knew about, done behind closed doors, between JT and Spencer Leniu.”
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Smith also criticised the NRL for its decision to not step in, with no process to be taken unless a complaint was made.
Johnathan Thurston reflected on the Spencer Leniu racism saga last year. Getty/Nine
“Where are we as a game moving forward if we allow that to happen? Is it just open slather now?” he asked.
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“If anyone has an issue with someone else, can we just go and attack them verbally? Can we use expletives towards them? As a commentator working on a game and if I’m upset by a current player’s actions on the field, can I go up and call them an f-wit?
“No, of course I can’t. That’s ridiculous.”
