NRL investigates after Eels recruit Leniu allegedly abuses official

Parramatta recruit Spencer Leniu is facing the prospect of more sanctions after allegedly abusing an NRL official during Samoa’s World Cup semi-final loss to Australia last weekend.

Leniu is alleged to have abused an NRL official outside the Samoan dressing sheds post match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney after attempting to get friends into the dressing room who didn’t have the appropriate accreditation.

The NRL integrity unit is investigating the matter after he reportedly blasted the official when his friends were initially denied entry.

It wasn’t the only unsavoury incident Leniu was involved in last Sunday night. The four-time premiership-winning prop accepted a two-game ban for making a money gesture, which was interpreted as questioning the integrity of the referee, after Adam Gee sin-binned him for dissent in Samoa’s semi-final loss to Australia.

The 26-year-old must serve the sanction in NRL matches, delaying his start for the Eels, including their round one match against the Titans in Las Vegas.

Parramatta chief executive Mike Rush told this masthead during the week it was “unfair” Leniu wouldn’t be allowed to serve his matches in the pre-season, pointing to a loophole that allowed Roosters forward Angus Crichton to do so during the previous World Cup in England in 2022.

Crichton used an International Rugby League [IRL] rule to serve a one-game ban for elbowing Chanel Harris-Tavita in the tournament during the pre-season. Because that World Cup was staged in England, Crichton was bound by IRL rules which allow suspensions to be served in trials. However, under NRL rules, that’s not an option for Leniu.

Leniu made further headlines when he raised the pay disparity between the Australia’s team and other nations at the tournament. The Australians are paid a flat fee of $40,000 for the tournament, while players from other nations are paid $850 a game. Leniu has earned plaudits from some - including Rugby League Players’ Association boss Clint Newton - for highlighting the inequity.