Spencer Leniu is facing the prospect of further sanctions, with the NRL integrity unit reportedly investigating claims he abused an NRL official after Samoa’s Rugby League World Cup semi-final loss to Australia.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Saturday that Leniu is alleged to have abused an official outside the Samoan dressing sheds at Allianz Stadium in Sydney after the match, when friends he was trying to bring into the dressing room were initially denied entry because they did not have the appropriate accreditation.
The allegation was first reported by The Daily Telegraph. According to the Herald, the NRL integrity unit is investigating the matter.
Neither the NRL nor Parramatta had commented publicly on the reports at the time of writing.
What has been reported
Fox Sports reported, citing CODE Sports, that Leniu could receive another punishment for the post-game incident, although it is not known what any additional sanction might be.
Read more: Spencer Leniu Suspension ‘a Little Unfair’, Says Eels Boss
Zero Tackle reported that the incident centred on the prop’s friends and family, who were initially refused access to the reserved area for players’ loved ones after the game.
Already banned for Eels’ first two games
The incident is separate to the on-field dissent that has already cost the 26-year-old the start of his Parramatta career.
Read more: Spencer Leniu Signs Four-Year Deal With Parramatta Eels
Leniu was sin-binned by referee Adam Gee for dissent during Samoa’s 44-12 semi-final loss to the Kangaroos last Sunday, and was seen making a money gesture as he left the field, which was interpreted as questioning the referee’s integrity.
He was hit with a grade three contrary conduct charge and accepted a two-match ban, which under NRL rules must be served in NRL matches rather than trials. That rules him out of the Eels’ first two games of 2027, including their round one clash with the Gold Coast Titans in Las Vegas.
Eels chief executive Mike Rush said earlier in the week that it was “a little unfair on both the player and the club that the location of the World Cup dictates how you can serve your suspension”.
Pay debate
Leniu also made headlines during the tournament when he raised the pay gap between Australia’s players and those from other nations. The Herald reported that the Kangaroos are paid a flat fee of $40,000 for the tournament, while players from other nations receive $850 a game.
The four-time premiership winner joins Parramatta on a four-year deal from 2027 after being granted a release by the Sydney Roosters.
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