Leniu goes quiet on socials

Sydney Roosters star Spencer Leniu has shut down comments on his social media accounts after his family became the victims of racist attacks in the wake of his clash with Brisbane superstar Ezra Mam.

Leniu, who will face the NRL judiciary next week amid allegations he called Mam a “monkey” last weekend at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, was on the receiving end of a series of vitriolic messages, as were members of his family.

The disgusting abuse has emerged as the NRL urged players to tone down their public commentary on the incident, which has been referred to the judiciary without a grading.

While the NRL has no issue with players voicing their support for Mam, they are concerned at comments from players in relation to Leniu’s guilt or innocence, as well as the length of any potential ban.

Under NRL rules, players and officials are forbidden from commenting on incidents that are before the judiciary. The NRL rarely enforces the rule but there is a genuine concern that the commentary around Leniu’s clash with Mam has the potential to taint his hearing.

The NRL’s move to clamp down on commentary came after Leniu’s agent Joe Nakat appealed to head office, as well as the players union, to step in and stop the onslaught against the Roosters firebrand.

While Leniu has been on the end of a barrage, he has had some supporters and another emerged on Wednesday as Izack Tago called for a stop to the public pile on before both sides are heard at a fair trial.

While Tago agreed that the game needed to have a conversation about racism, his concern was that people were judging Leniu before the judiciary had the chance to hear his case.

“I think it’s harsh that people are unloading on him and they don’t really know the story and before he’s had the chance to defend himself at the judiciary,” Tago said.

“For me, he’s an older brother, he’s looked after me heaps.”