LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
NSW coach Laurie Daley has reacted strongly to a derogatory claim made by Queensland's media regarding Blues prop Spencer Leniu, who was labeled a "grub" on the back page of The Courier Mail ahead of State of Origin Game 1.
Leniu is expected to ignite a fierce response from fans when he takes the field at Suncorp Stadium.
The controversy surrounding Leniu has intensified due to his recent argument with Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston after a Roosters game, which was captured on Channel 9.
The incident has become a key story leading into the match.
Leniu previously faced backlash for an eight-game suspension he received in 2024 for using the term "monkey" towards Broncos player Ezra Mam.
Thurston criticized Leniu's suspension duration, arguing it was insufficient.
Leniu defended himself, claiming ignorance regarding the racial implications of his remark.
Tensions escalated after Leniu confronted Thurston post-game, expressing frustration that Thurston had not spoken out against Mam's car crash incident that injured a child, despite Mam receiving a nine-game ban.
To further stoke pre-match rivalry, The Courier Mail's provocative headline, "Smash this Blues grub," was published alongside photos of Leniu and Thurston.
This attempt to energize a lackluster buildup to the match did not sit well with Daley, who expressed his discontent when shown the article.
Daley noted that the Blues team is also disturbed by the media fallout, suggesting that this negative portrayal could potentially impact Leniu's performance.
The ongoing tensions and media scrutiny are set against the backdrop of the much-anticipated match, with both on-field confrontations and media drama weaving complex narratives as the Blues prepare for their clash with Queensland.