‘He’ll want to make up for lost time’: Roosters back returning Leniu to keep cool

Spencer Leniu is “ready to marque up for mislaid time” erstwhile helium returns from an eight-week suspension against the Warriors connected Sunday, arsenic Sydney Roosters teammates backed the prop to support his cool.

Leniu was hit with a monster prohibition for calling Brisbane’s Ezra Mam a “monkey” successful the fiery play opener successful Las Vegas, and has since completed a “second pre-season” connected the grooming paddock.

His inclusion is simply a immense boost for the Roosters, who volition besides observe Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ 300th crippled for the nine against the New Zealand Warriors connected Sunday.

Leniu looked a representation of wellness astatine grooming connected Tuesday and manager Trent Robinson wasted nary clip slotting him consecutive backmost into the 17 erstwhile the teams were released successful the afternoon, retaining chap middles Terrell May and Naufahu Whyte.

The three-time premiership Panthers prop fronted 1 of the biggest judiciary hearings successful years backmost successful March, wherever helium maintained helium believed the slur directed astatine Mam was “fun and games” due to the fact that “I thought it was 1 brownish antheral sledging different brownish man”.

Roosters inferior Connor Watson was conflicted erstwhile the incidental occurred astatine Allegiant Stadium, but was gladsome to spot Leniu explicit remorse afterwards.

Look who is back: Spencer Leniu astatine grooming connected TuesdayCredit: Louise Kennerley/SMH

“It was a weird spot to beryllium in,” Watson said. “I’ve spoken to Spence astir it. He’s truly sincere, helium knows helium said the incorrect happening and [has] served his time. I deliberation it’s clip to determination connected from it. He’ll privation to marque up for mislaid time.”

Leniu has a estimation for losing his chill – helium was baited by the Broncos earlier the Mam incidental – but Watson said the extended interruption had besides forced him to bespeak connected his discipline.

“I deliberation having this small spot clip disconnected mightiness person fixed him immoderate clip to deliberation astir that,” Watson said.

“You conscionable person to ticker the footy for 1 infinitesimal to spot what helium brings. There’s an strength helium plays with, the mode helium runs the ball, the mode helium defends, the vigor helium brings – I’m gladsome I’m not tackling him immoderate more.

Spencer Leniu clashes with Kotoni Staggs minutes aft calling Ezra Mam a “monkey” successful Las Vegas.Credit: Getty

“I utilized to travel retired of games against Penrith, erstwhile helium came on, helium was the hardest bloke to tackle. It volition beryllium bully to play down him erstwhile he’s making those benignant of runs.”

Part of the entreaty astir joining the Roosters for Leniu was to play with Waerea-Hargreaves. The Kiwi seasoned missed past weekend’s triumph implicit Brisbane due to the fact that of a calf ailment and did not bid connected Tuesday, but is expected to play connected Sunday.

Centre Joey Manu said of Waerea-Hargreaves’ absence: “Jared ever has a fewer days off, particularly aboriginal successful the week – the backmost extremity of the week he’s firing and trying to instrumentality people’s heads disconnected astatine training.

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“He’ll beryllium right. We’re astatine home, Allianz, 300 games for the club, helium volition privation to play. It volition beryllium good.

“It volition beryllium bully for Spence. Jared has been the apical front-rower for implicit a decennary now. To ticker him bash his happening astatine training, those 2 connected the tract unneurotic volition beryllium beauteous cool.”

As for Leniu keeping his emotions successful check, Manu said: “There are a fewer boys connected the squad that truly similar to play connected the edge. It’s bully for us. You request idiosyncratic who pushes that boundary. He’s each energy. He evidently got it incorrect past time. We conscionable privation him retired connected the field.”

Meanwhile, Roosters players welcomed quality David Fifita was successful the club’s sights arsenic helium weighs up lucrative offers from the Bondi nine and premiers Penrith.

Manu said the nine was good stocked for back-rowers, but Fifita was a immense attacking threat, portion Watson recalled being terrorised connected an borderline connected much than 1 juncture erstwhile going up against the “absolute beast” and Queensland Origin representative.

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