Latest news with #SpencerLeniu
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Any front-rower would do that': Roosters search for the fine line between swagger and over the top aggression
Roosters skipper James Tedesco has praised his front-rowers for how they responded after a stint in the sin bin on Saturday night following an explosive start to the game that reduced their side and the Dolphins to 11 men. And while he doesn't want to see them spend time off the field, Tedesco isn't going to tell Spencer Leniu and his fellow firebrands to tone things down because their aggression and intimidation is what strikes fear into opposition teams. Saturday's game against the Dolphins was dubbed a do-or-die clash for Trent Robinson's side as they fought to keep their finals hopes alive, and they delivered with a stunning 64-12 win at Suncorp Stadium. While their attack was faultless, the big boys up front saw red from the opening whistle, with Leniu racing in to defend halfback Sam Walker when he was shoved by Aublix Tawha. That set the tone and a minute later all hell broke loose when the powerhouse prop shaped up to Tawha after a try, with players from both teams coming together. Four players have been sent to the sin bin after this incident... ðŸ'° Watch #NRLDolphinsRoosters LIVE on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: âœ�ï¸� BLOG ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 9, 2025 Leniu, Tawha, Naufahu Whyte and Francis Molo were all sent to the sin bin, with a stack of fines dished out, including two to Leniu, who has to pay $3600. The stint in the sin bin cooled things down but it didn't slow down Leniu's momentum, as he scored a powerful try just before halftime, while Whyte continued his outstanding season with 178m – the most of any forward in that game. The Roosters have the attacking firepower to beat anyone, and the top teams better be scared of them if they continue to play with the swagger they showed for 80 minutes on Saturday night. 'We were sticking up for each other there, and Spencer was sticking up for his teammates and his halfback. I think any front-rower would do that,' Tedesco said. 'There's obviously a fine line, and Spencer got charged for it, so you can't really run in and let it boil over like that and have players off the field. 'That could cost any team when you have a man or two men off the field because it can really change the flow of the game. 'When they came back on, they went about their business and dominated. I love the fire that our middles play with, but we can't have players off the field because it can cost you. 'But I'm not going to tell them to stop being fiery because that's what makes them an intimidating pack and that's what makes them good players.' Representative front-rower Lindsay Collins spoke with Leniu after the melee to calm him down and was proud of how he responded after his time off the field. It's a fine balance for a team that has had guys like Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dylan Napa and Victor Radley regularly push the envelope, with tensions to again be high when they host the Bulldogs in what shapes as a fiery Friday night affair. 'You can go into the red, and then sometimes it can be hard to come out of it, especially us Roosters in the past when we were sort of known for that,' Collins said. 'The game can get away from you because you're still holding on to that red mentality. 'It's about calming the boys down and getting them back to that flow state where they're level-headed. 'I thought they did a really good job at that. We want them to bring that energy because it shows it means something to them, and they went in there (the sheds) and came out and continued on with the game. 'I felt like we did a better job at that. When you look at the past, we've probably had a couple of games where we've let that carry on throughout the game and it hasn't ended well for us. 'It's the maturity of this team coming out. We're playing for our season at the moment, so every moment of every game counts. I think a lot of the boys understood that.'
ABC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Connor Watson: Playing with the firecracker Spencer Leniu you never know what you're going to get!
The great Connor Watson (31:53) is starting to dream of a finals appearance after his Roosters' 64-12 win over fellow finals contenders the Dolphins. He started from the bench and was watching on amused when the game exploded in the 9th minute with Spencer Leniu one of 4 players sent to the bin. But he realises that his team have been far too inconsistent over the whole season to take anything for granted even though they have given themselves a chance. Plus you can catch the odd couple - Luke Lewis and John Gibbs' views on the big topics of the week in Six Again (10:53) and the First Thought (50:02) this week is on Dud signings. Plus you can get to know the man behind the madness - The Cog - Ralph Tucker (1:16:40).
7NEWS
4 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Spencer Leniu sparks wild NRL brawl as four players binned during Roosters' big win over Dolphins
The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the Dolphins 64-12 and sent a warning to the rest of the NRL after four players were sin-binned in an explosive confrontation. A huge melee erupted at Suncorp Stadium after Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored the second of his three tries in the ninth minute. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Four players binned in wild NRL brawl. Tricolours' forward duo Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte were binned, as were Dolphins pair Frank Molo and Aublix Tawha after a fiery clash broke out. Leniu appeared to instigate the fracas after inexplicably raising his fists and squaring up to his opponents. 'That's ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous behaviour from Spencer Leniu,' said Warren Smith on Fox League. 'How can you explain the behaviour of Spencer Leniu. What is Tahwa supposed to do and then Naufahu Whyte comes and grabs him.' The incident came just minutes after both sides were warned when Leniu was involved in another scrap. From the ensuing kick-off Siua Wong was knocked senseless in an accidental head clash. The late and great Arthur Beetson would have loved the physicality in a showdown that honoured his enormous legacy to both clubs. The rugby league Immortal won premierships at the Dolphins in 1965, in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, and Roosters in 1974-75. He played tough and he played with flair. The Roosters did it far better to stay in ninth position on 26 points, equal with the eighth-placed Dolphins. The hosts' for and against is still superior but it took a battering in their biggest ever loss. Roosters captain James Tedesco had a blinder and won the Artie Legacy Medal for man of the match, but had plenty of mates. The Dolphins, without eight of their best players, hit a brick wall and were unable to thwart the rampant visitors. Dolphins lock Kurt Donoghoe was heavily involved in all the early heated moments. His counterpart Victor Radley was in his face. It was magnificent theatre. The physicality of the clash was a throwback to the Beetson era, but the Roosters had all the aces. Nawaqanitawase leapt high to snaffle a Hugo Savala bomb to open the scoring. The man they call 'Marky Mark' was in again after brilliant work by centre Robert Toia. Then all hell broke loose with the sin-binnings before the Roosters administered torment upon torment. Speed demon Tevita Naufahu, who scored a double, crossed out wide on the wing with a show of blistering speed to claw the Dolphins back. Roosters centre Billy Smith went over after a sensational tip-on by Tedesco. Radley crashed over and Savala scored before Leniu, relishing his reputation as the man opposing fans love to hate, stormed over to make it 36-6 at the break. Tedesco notched a double inside eight minutes of the second half getting underway. Nawaqanitawase was at it again to snaffle a high ball to take the Roosters beyond 50 and the procession continued with Daniel Tupou notching a late double. The Roosters, brilliantly guided by half Sam Walker, made a huge statement about their premiership credentials while the ill-disciplined and bumbling Dolphins have a huge task to recover from what was a rugby league lesson they must learn from quickly.
The Age
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Fight night: Roosters wallop Dolphins amid high drama
Loading The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the Dolphins 64-12 and sent a warning to the rest of the NRL after four players were sin-binned in an explosive contest at Suncorp Stadium. A melee erupted after Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored the second of his three tries in the ninth minute of the contest. Tricolours' forward duo Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte were binned, as were Dolphins pair Frank Molo and Aublix Tawha after a fiery clash broke out. From the ensuing kick-off, Siua Wong was knocked senseless in an accidental head clash. The late, great Arthur Beetson would have loved the physicality in a showdown that honoured his enormous legacy to both clubs. The rugby league Immortal won premierships at the Dolphins in 1965, in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, and Roosters in 1974-75. He played tough, and he played with flair. The Roosters did both of those things far better to stay in ninth position on 26 points, equal with the eighth-placed Dolphins. The hosts' for and against is still superior, but it took a battering in their biggest ever loss. Roosters captain James Tedesco had a blinder and won the Artie Legacy Medal for man of the match, but had plenty of mates.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fight night: Roosters wallop Dolphins amid high drama
Loading The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the Dolphins 64-12 and sent a warning to the rest of the NRL after four players were sin-binned in an explosive contest at Suncorp Stadium. A melee erupted after Roosters flyer Mark Nawaqanitawase scored the second of his three tries in the ninth minute of the contest. Tricolours' forward duo Spencer Leniu and Naufahu Whyte were binned, as were Dolphins pair Frank Molo and Aublix Tawha after a fiery clash broke out. From the ensuing kick-off, Siua Wong was knocked senseless in an accidental head clash. The late, great Arthur Beetson would have loved the physicality in a showdown that honoured his enormous legacy to both clubs. The rugby league Immortal won premierships at the Dolphins in 1965, in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, and Roosters in 1974-75. He played tough, and he played with flair. The Roosters did both of those things far better to stay in ninth position on 26 points, equal with the eighth-placed Dolphins. The hosts' for and against is still superior, but it took a battering in their biggest ever loss. Roosters captain James Tedesco had a blinder and won the Artie Legacy Medal for man of the match, but had plenty of mates.
