‘Absolute carnage' Spencer Leniu sparks mayhem in Roosters vs Dolphins
It was a must win game on Saturday with both teams desperate to keep their finals hopes alive with a victory over their fellow top eight fancies.
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The Roosters got off to a flyer courtesy of an early double to high flying winger Mark Nawaqanitawase within the first 10 minutes.
But tensions boiled over after Nawaqanitawase's second try, when his Roosters teammate Leniu made a beeline for Dolphins forward Aublix Tawha.
While the Roosters were celebrating the try, Leniu's eyes widened and he gestured to Tawha that he was ready to throw hands and punch on there and then.
Players from both teams flocked over in the in-goal, prompting an all-in melee.
Watch the fiery carnage in the video above
Referee Gerard Sutton had no choice but to send Leniu to the sin bin. Roosters player Naufahu Whyte, Tawha and Francis Molo were also sent to the bin for their roles in the argy bargy.
Fox League commentator Warren Smith said: 'Leniu coming across says, 'Let's go'. Well that's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous behaviour by Spencer Leniu.
'Spencer Leniu sparked that situation. It's a game of soccer, 11 vs 11. How do you explain the behaviour of Spencer Leniu. What is Tawha supposed to do?'
Leniu appeared to be aggrieved by a tackle early in the game when Tawha crunched Roosters centre Billy Smith in a hard hit that went unpenalised. Leniu ran over from the other side of the field to let his feelings known to Tawha.
Michael Ennis added: 'He's lost his cool here Spencer. Tawha off the kick off was really physical and Spencer Leniu took a disliking to it.
'It's been a brilliant start by the Roosters, but this is season on the line. Both sides down to 11, can you believe it?'
The drama continued when Siua Wong was knocked out in a head clash with Kurt Donoghoe, who was bumped into the tackle by teammate Oryn Keeley.
The Bunker and referee ruled the Dolphins tackles were legal and ruled a knock on against Wong, much to the disbelief of Roosters captain James Tedesco.
Smith said in commentary: 'Sia Wong has been knocked out cold. This is old school. This has turned the clock back to the days of Arthur Beetson.
'These are scenes we don't see in the modern game.'
Ennis said: 'It's been absolute carnage to start this game.'
The Roosters composed themselves and scored six tries in the first half to lead 36-6 at the break. The Tricolours trail the Dolphins by two points on the ladder.
Leniu burst through the Dolphins' defensive line to score a strong try, shushing the crowd after he had plenty to say early in the game.
Cooper Cronk said on Fox League: 'The player of the first half was Spencer Leniu — did some good things and some bad things.'
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