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Queensland had the possibility to make a press release and switch the tide of the State of Origin opener by going after Blues agitator Spencer Leniu on Wednesday night time.
As a substitute what the Maroons did left Leniu spitting chips and looking to get some ball.
Leniu was lashed by a prominent Brisbane newspaper on Origin eve. The again web page headline learn “smash this Blues grub”.
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Final 12 months he was punished for a racial slur towards Broncos participant Ezra Mam, and earlier this season he reignited the hearth by getting right into a verbal stoush with Maroons icon Johnathan Thurston throughout a recreation.
He began on the bench in recreation one and was introduced into the motion after a Brian To’o strive put NSW up 10-0 about 10 minutes earlier than half time.
Blues ahead Spencer Leniu fires up at Queensland. 9
“There was loads of motion on the sidelines – Lindsay Collins is about to return on, and Spencer Leniu,” 9’s sideline man Brad Fittler stated.
“I am undecided if the gang has labored it out but, however he is simply gone on.”
Commentator Mat Thompson famous, “It will not take them lengthy to work out Spencer is on the market… He would possibly carry the kick-off again from the resumption shortly”.
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When the raucous Suncorp Stadium devoted did realise who had simply run onto the sphere, a refrain of boos rang out.
Leniu was pacing and champing on the bit, able to take the primary hit-up after the attempt to see what the Queensland defence had for him.
As a substitute the Maroons lined as much as kick the ball proper – away from Leniu.
“Spencer has simply realised Queensland aren’t going to kick to him from the restart,” Thompson stated.
“They are going to the alternative facet. The Queensland press put a bounty on his head, he’s public enemy No.1 right here tonight.”
Leniu was seen pointing and yelling on the Maroons for taking the second away from him.
“He’s blowing up,” Blues legend Andrew Johns laughed.
“Prepare, right here comes Spencer. Spencer will likely be off the again fence.”
Spencer Leniu provides it to the Suncorp Stadium crowd. Getty
When Leniu did take his first hit-up he was met with a fairly normal deal with from Harry Grant and Reuben Cotter – hardly the bone-rattling reception Queensland followers have been hoping for.
The Maroons coaches and gamers refused to say Leniu throughout the build-up and so they missed a trick by failing to make use of the feud to fireplace them up when it was wanted – they misplaced the competition 18-6.
In simply 24 minutes on the sphere Leniu had seven runs for one deal with break, however offered some vitality and go-forward when his staff wanted it.
He additionally landed 10 tackles at a 100 per cent effectivity fee, and was later seen sticking his tongue out on the crowd when the Blues triumphed.
