Spencer Leniu’s suspension will rule him out of Parramatta’s first two games of 2027, and Eels chief executive Mike Rush says the rules behind it feel “a little unfair” on the player and the club.
Leniu has accepted a two-match ban for a money gesture he made after referee Adam Gee sin-binned him for dissent in Samoa’s World Cup semi-final loss to Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. The gesture was widely interpreted as questioning the integrity of the match officials.
Under NRL rules, grade-three charges cannot be served in trials, so the four-time premiership winner will miss the Eels’ opening two games, including their Round 1 match against the Gold Coast Titans in Las Vegas, the ABC reported.
Rush pointed to the 2022 World Cup in England, when Roosters forward Angus Crichton was able to serve a one-game ban in the pre-season because that tournament was played under International Rugby League rules.
“From the club’s point of view, it’s a little frustrating to see that, because the World Cup is in Australia, we can’t use the trial games,” Rush said.
“Whereas, had the World Cup been in England, he’d be free to play in round one. It feels a little unfair on both the player and the club that the location of the World Cup dictates how you can serve your suspension.”
Read more: Spencer Leniu Charged Over Referee Dissent, Facing Eels Ban
‘What he did was wrong’
Rush stressed he was not arguing with the penalty itself.
“When I say punished, I don’t mean that it’s unjust – what [Leniu] did was wrong. But Angus Crichton got a game and he was able to play,” he said.
“It’s frustrating. I’m not having a crack at anyone, it’s a consequence that nobody has looked at, where previously they have been able to serve it [during the pre-season] and now they are not.”
He also called for a single set of rules for international suspensions: “We should have a set of international rules. It’s just not fair.”
Crossland comparison
Rush also pointed to Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland, who served his four-match suspension across grand final day and the World Cup.
“He’s able to use the World Cup to serve his ban and play in round one for the Knights,” Rush said. “So they are getting a benefit from the World Cup, and we’re being punished.”
Read more: Spencer Leniu Signs Four-Year Deal With Parramatta Eels
The NRL had been contacted for comment, the Herald reported.
Leniu joins Parramatta on a four-year deal after winning the 2026 premiership with the Sydney Roosters. The full 2027 NRL draw is due to be released on Monday, November 16.
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