Lockyer unearths Leniu ‘prod’ used to fan the flames of Maroons

Queensland legend Darren Lockyer believes there may be “no doubt” the Spencer Leniu factor would had been raised in camp previous to the State of Origin opener.

The firebrand NSW Blues prop was once enthusiastic about a well-publicised spat with Johnathan Thurston previous this 12 months stemming from closing 12 months’s racism saga, when Leniu was once passed a protracted suspension for calling Ezra Mam a “monkey” throughout a recreation.

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Leniu would be the centre of consideration on Wednesday night time in entrance of 50,000 diehard lovers at Suncorp Stadium.

A Brisbane newspaper headline on Tuesday instructed the Maroons to “smash this Blues grub”, throwing a fit at the fireplace that was once indubitably already burning north of the Tweed.

Billy Slater denied that going after Leniu were spoken about together with his gamers, even wondering what all of the fuss was once about in his pre-game press convention.

When requested concerning the newspaper headline and the simmering Leniu feud the Queensland trainer responded, “what situation is that?”.

But talking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, one of the most Maroons selectors solid doubt on Slater’s denial.

“I reckon that would have been addressed at some point in the camp,” Lockyer mentioned.

“Origin motivates you naturally – but as a coach, if you can prod a few players and get them fired up, you do it.

“I’ve were given indubitably there would had been a dialog throughout the crew like ‘hiya boys, let’s try to end up some degree right here and get caught into him’.”

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Leniu made his Origin debut last year and was enormous off the bench for the Blues as they came from behind to claim the series 2-1.

This year, Queensland will welcome back Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in a major boost to their front-row stocks, while Cameron Munster is set to return at five-eighth.

Lockyer was also quizzed about the tame build-up to the series and acknowledged that Slater and Blues coach Laurie Daley would have been “educating” their stars to keep a lid on things.

“Definitely as we have advanced, there is much less photographs fired – again within the day, there have been various characters in both staff that may be prepared to fan the flames of the opposition,” he said.

“I believe that each coaches can be educating gamers to not say anything else to inspire the opposition.

“It is what it is these days, but I’m sure there are plenty of Queenslanders who don’t need any motivation anyway.”