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Queensland legend Darren Lockyer believes there may be “little question” the Spencer Leniu subject would have been raised in camp previous to the State of Origin opener.
The firebrand NSW Blues prop was concerned in a well-publicised spat with Johnathan Thurston earlier this 12 months stemming from final 12 months’s racism saga, when Leniu was handed an extended suspension for calling Ezra Mam a “monkey” throughout a recreation.
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Leniu would be the centre of consideration on Wednesday evening in entrance of fifty,000 diehard followers at Suncorp Stadium.
A Brisbane newspaper headline on Tuesday urged the Maroons to “smash this Blues grub”, throwing a match on the hearth that was little question already burning north of the Tweed.
Billy Slater denied that going after Leniu had been spoken about with his players, even questioning what all of the fuss was about in his pre-game press convention.
Johnathan Thurston and Spencer Leniu clashed earlier this 12 months. NRL Images
When requested concerning the newspaper headline and the simmering Leniu feud the Queensland coach replied, “what state of affairs is that?”.
However talking on Huge World of Sports activities’ QLDER, one of many Maroons selectors forged doubt on Slater’s denial.
“I reckon that may have been addressed in some unspecified time in the future within the camp,” Lockyer stated.
“Origin motivates you naturally – however as a coach, should you can prod a couple of gamers and get them fired up, you do it.
“I’ve acquired little question there would have been a dialog throughout the group like ‘hey boys, let’s attempt to show some extent right here and get caught into him’.”
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Spencer Leniu will likely be public enemy No.1 in Queensland. Getty
Leniu made his Origin debut final 12 months and was huge off the bench for the Blues as they got here from behind to assert the collection 2-1.
This 12 months, Queensland will welcome again Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in a significant enhance to their front-row shares, whereas Cameron Munster is ready to return at five-eighth.
Lockyer was additionally quizzed concerning the tame build-up to the collection and acknowledged that Slater and Blues coach Laurie Daley would have been “instructing” their stars to maintain a lid on issues.
“Positively as we have developed, there’s much less photographs fired – again within the day, there have been loads of characters in both crew that may be keen to fireplace up the opposition,” he stated.
“I feel that each coaches can be instructing gamers to not say something to inspire the opposition.
“It’s what it’s as of late, however I am positive there are many Queenslanders who do not want any motivation anyway.”
