Spencer Leniu has been charged with Grade 3 contrary conduct over his dissent towards referee Adam Gee in Samoa’s World Cup semi-final loss to the Kangaroos, leaving the incoming Parramatta prop facing a ban at the start of his Eels career.
The match review committee laid the charge on Monday morning, with an early guilty plea carrying a two-match suspension and a three-match ban if Leniu contests it and is found guilty, Fox Sports reported. The charge sheet lists the offence as contrary conduct against the match officials in the 38th minute, a first offence.
Leniu was sin-binned shortly before half-time on Sunday night after exchanging words with Gee during Samoa’s 44-12 loss to Australia at Allianz Stadium.
What Leniu said to the referee has not been made public, but he appeared to make a money gesture as he walked to the sideline, Fox Sports reported.
According to Zero Tackle, Leniu has until midday AEDT on Tuesday to decide on his plea, with any hearing to be held at NRL headquarters on Tuesday evening.
With Samoa out of the tournament and pre-season trials not counting towards suspensions, the ban is set to carry into the opening rounds of the 2027 NRL season, when Leniu begins a four-year deal with Parramatta.
Read more: Kangaroos Thrash Samoa 44-12 to Reach World Cup Final
Zero Tackle noted the Eels open their 2027 campaign against the Gold Coast Titans in Las Vegas, where Leniu was suspended for eight matches in 2024 after being found guilty of making a racially charged remark to Brisbane’s Ezra Mam.
‘He got this wrong’
“He’s an emotional player but he got this wrong,” former Kiwis halfback Shaun Johnson said on Channel 7’s coverage.
Read more: Spencer Leniu Signs Four-Year Deal With Parramatta Eels
“No player can approach a ref unless you’re the skipper. But not in this manner whatsoever. You can’t condone that sort of behaviour and he’ll be disappointed in himself.”
Other semi-final charges
Three other players from the semi-final were hit with Grade 1 charges that carry only a warning with an early plea: Kangaroos prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (careless high tackle), and Samoa halves Jarome Luai (dangerous throw) and Ronald Volkman (dangerous contact), according to the charge sheet.
That leaves Fa’asuamaleaui free to face New Zealand in Sunday’s World Cup final at Suncorp Stadium, which kicks off at 7.35pm AEDT, NRL.com confirmed.
Leniu speaks out on Pacific pay
After the loss, Leniu posted a lengthy message on Instagram calling for players from Pacific nations to be paid more at World Cups, Zero Tackle reported.
He claimed Pacific players received $850 a game, compared with $30,000 to $40,000 for Australian players across the tournament.
“I’ve done everything this game has to offer, and one thing I want to make sure of moving forward is that the younger generation who choose to represent their beautiful little nations get what they deserve,” Leniu wrote.
“I’ll use my voice and platform to push for change, because the next gen deserves it.”
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