Leniu ‘blowing up’ as Maroons fail to ‘wreck this grub’

Queensland had the danger to make a remark and switch the tide of the State of Origin opener by means of going after Blues agitator Spencer Leniu on Wednesday evening.

Instead what the Maroons did left Leniu spitting chips and searching to get some ball.

Leniu used to be lashed by means of a distinguished Brisbane newspaper on Origin eve. The again web page headline learn “smash this Blues grub”.

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Last 12 months he used to be punished for a racial slur in opposition to Broncos participant Ezra Mam, and previous this season he reignited the hearth by means of coming into a verbal stoush with Maroons icon Johnathan Thurston throughout a sport.

He began at the bench in sport one and used to be introduced into the motion after a Brian To’o take a look at put NSW up 10-0 about 10 mins earlier than part time.

“There has been plenty of movement on the sidelines – Lindsay Collins is about to come on, and Spencer Leniu,” Nine’s sideline guy Brad Fittler mentioned.

“I’m not sure if the crowd has worked it out yet, but he’s just gone on.”

Commentator Mat Thompson famous, “It won’t take them long to work out Spencer is out there… He might carry the kick-off back 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 used to be pacing and champing on the bit, able to take the primary hit-up after the try to see what the Queensland defence had for him.

Instead the Maroons coated as much as kick the ball proper – clear of Leniu.

“Spencer has just realised Queensland aren’t going to kick to him from the restart,” Thompson mentioned.

“They’re going to the opposite side. The Queensland press put a bounty on his head, he is public enemy No.1 here tonight.”

Leniu used to be noticed pointing and yelling on the Maroons for taking the instant clear of him.

“He is blowing up,” Blues legend Andrew Johns laughed.

“Get ready, here comes Spencer. Spencer will be off the back fence.”

When Leniu did take his first hit-up he used to be met with a relatively same old take on from Harry Grant and Reuben Cotter – hardly ever the bone-rattling reception Queensland fanatics had been hoping for.

The Maroons coaches and avid gamers refused to say Leniu throughout the build-up they usually overlooked a trick by means of failing to make use of the feud to fireside them up when it used to be wanted – they misplaced the competition 18-6.

In simply 24 mins at the box Leniu had seven runs for one take on spoil, however equipped some power and go-forward when his staff wanted it.

He additionally landed 10 tackles at a 100 consistent with cent potency price, and used to be later noticed sticking his tongue out on the crowd when the Blues triumphed.