LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The NRL has found itself in hot water after a blunder during Spencer Leniu's judiciary hearing, prompting the Sydney Roosters to kick up a fuss and lodge a formal complaint with the league.
Leniu, who was recently slapped with an eight-week ban for a racially insensitive remark towards Ezra Mam, found himself misidentified by judiciary counsel Lachlan Gyles SC as "Spencer Luai" and mistakenly pegged as a Tongan player rather than representing Samoa.
The errors didn't fly under the radar, with NRL judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew SC quick to correct the slip-ups.
Sources close to the situation told The Sydney Morning Herald that concerns were raised about Gyles' mix-ups, particularly given the gravity of the situation.
Attendees at the hearing didn't let the mistakes slide, prompting the Roosters to take their complaints straight to the NRL.
Gyles has issued a private apology for his slip of the tongue.
The Roosters have had a tough run of it lately, with Leniu's suspension casting a shadow over the club.
Leniu, in his defense during Monday's hearing, claimed ignorance to the offensiveness of his words towards Mam, but has since expressed regret and apologized upon understanding the historical weight of his words.