‘It makes me a bit angry’: Leniu sets record straight on Roosters and NSW future

Spencer Leniu wants two things known. First, he hates people who question his commitment to the Roosters; and second, he believes he doesn’t deserve to be picked for NSW.

Leniu fronted TV cameras for the first time in more than 12 months on Friday, and was refreshingly honest when it came to his club future and Blues credentials.

News Corp reported last week Leniu was unhappy with the limited game time he was getting at the Bondi club, and that there was an even a chance he would not be a Rooster beyond this season.

Leniu had not spoken to the media since his sideline confrontation with Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston at Suncorp Stadium last year. The only time he issued a comment to the press was last year in Perth when he told the Herald he was “proper sorry” for the racial slur directed at Ezra Mam a year earlier in Las Vegas.

But after the Roosters’ captain’s run at Brisbane’s Langlands Park on Friday, a nervous Leniu said he thought it was time to speak publicly after South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell ended his own lengthy media ban last week.

“I’d rather take any back-fence carry than speak to people in public,” he said.

As for reports he was looking to exit the Roosters, Leniu said: “We have a good thing going at the Roosters, there’s healthy competition [for spots], and to be honest, I haven’t been performing at my best, and that’s why I haven’t been getting the minutes I’ve been wanting.

“Robbo [coach Trent Robinson] and I have had some honest conversations. I feel like last week [against the Titans] was a step in the right direction. We have another big challenge against the Cowboys on Saturday.

“When people test my integrity and loyalty to this club, it makes me a bit angry. I hold myself to high standards in terms of integrity and loyalty. To all the Roosters fans, I’m here to stay. I can’t wait to keep on performing week in week out. Everyone in these four walls knows about my loyalty to my brothers and this club.”

Leniu’s good friend Jarome Luai has signed with the PNG Chiefs, and while Leniu joked he might need to lean on his good friend to “help with my mortgage”, there had been no thought to following him to Port Moresby.

The Samoan has featured in the last two Origin series, and became a focal point last year when the Maroons refused to kick off to him at Suncorp Stadium.

But Leniu was not expecting a phone call from Blues coach Laurie Daley on Sunday night, and said he did not deserve it.

“I don’t think I should be in any conversations about making that Blues team,” Leniu said. “If anything, I hope ‘Rads’ [teammate Victor Radley] gets a call. He epitomises everything Origin is about. Hopefully [Wests Tigers’ prop] Terrell [May] gets a call, too.

“I respect the game so much, I feel like we need to pick our side on form, and my performances haven’t been up to scratch. All I want to see is NSW succeed. If I’m not there, I’ll be cheering for the boys. If I’m there, I know what it takes to perform in those high-pressure moments. But I don’t think I’m in any contention.”

When told about Leniu’s Origin admission, Robinson told this masthead: “That’s not the truth, that’s a guy being humble. He won’t talk himself up. The belief he has, and the belief we have in him, he’s made for creating change with the way he carries the ball in that arena. He’s ready to play.”

The Roosters play North Queensland at 5.30pm, and Leniu expected to be greeted by a chorus of boos from the Queensland locals – not that he cared.

“The boos, the cheers, it all gives me confidence and riles me up – whatever reception I get, it’s part of the game, and it’s why I love the game,” he said.

Leniu broke down with a hamstring injury before the New Zealand Warriors clash in round one, and did not return until round six. The missed game time, Leniu said, was no excuse for his sluggish start.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.