KEVVIE FIRES UP OVER MAM Coach loses his cool with reporters

A fired-up Kevin Walters has had a testy exchange with the media over the Ezra Mam racism saga ahead of Brisbane’s clash against South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.

The traditionally jovial Walters was in an unusually snappy mood on Wednesday morning, hitting back at reporters after the Broncos coach was quizzed about the fallout from the Mam-Spencer Leniu racism scandal.

Leniu copped an eight-game ban at the judiciary in the NRL’s first racial-slur suspension, but Walters had no interest in fanning the flames of an explosive spat that marred Brisbane’s 20-10 loss to the Roosters in Las Vegas last week.

Asked how Mam was feeling personally, a focused Walters was short and sharp.

“I don’t want to talk about the suspension,” Walters said.

Pressed on how Mam has been training since the saga broke out, Walters fired back: “Well you watch training, what did you think?”

The reporter not an expert, coach.”

Clearly keen to put the Mam affair to bed and temper emotions as Brisbane look to bounce back against the Rabbitohs, Walters reiterated his stance he would give the ‘Monkey-gate’ ordeal no further oxygen.

“I won’t make any comment on it, I’ll leave that to the NRL,” Walters said.

“Ezra has been fine. He has been good. He is ready to go.”

The Broncos coach is determined for the Mam saga not to derail a Brisbane side hell-bent on a first-up home victory in 2024 after last week’s disappointing display against the Roosters.

While the Broncos relished replied: “I’m you are the being part of history in Vegas, there is a view the American odyssey was a logistical and emotional headache for the four teams involved.

The Broncos have no interest in returning to Sin City next season, with Walters glad to be back home on home turf at Red Hill as last year’s grand finalists look to close the door on the racism furore with an emphatic display against Latrell Mitchell’s Rabbitohs.

“We put it (the Mam-Leniu saga) to bed at the end of last week when it was handed over to the NRL,” Walters said.

“Our focus the last three and four days has been on the game.

“It’s nice to get back to Suncorp, especially for our fans, being away for the first period of the season in Vegas.

“This game is really important for us as a club.

“We need our focus in the right direction rather than looking too far ahead.”

Superstar prop Payne Haas trained with strapping around his knee, but he completed the captain’s run without a major issue and Walters is adamant Brisbane’s No. 1 prop will face the Rabbitohs.

“Payne is fine,” Walters said. “It’s just a little niggle there for him with his knee, it happened a couple of weeks ago, but he will be right.

“We’re one to 17.” Walters also backed skipper Adam Reynolds to return to his best against his former club, insisting the champion halfback has not been affected by last year’s grand-final loss.

“We have a lot of faith and confidence in ‘Reyno’,” Walters said.

“Playing against your former club is a big occasion for everybody and Reyno is no different.

“I don’t think the end of last year has impacted him. For Adam, it’s about playing his best football ... . ”