Queensland rugby league icon Darren Lockyer believes that the Spencer Leniu controversy has certainly been a topic of discussion within the State of Origin camp ahead of the upcoming match. The NSW Blues prop recently reignited tensions following a public feud with Johnathan Thurston, sparked by a serious incident in which Leniu faced suspension for making a racially charged remark during a game.
As excitement builds for the Origin opener at Suncorp Stadium, where a fervent crowd of 50,000 is anticipated, Queensland media has fuelled the fire with provocative headlines urging players to "smash this Blues grub." Despite this, Queensland coach Billy Slater has downplayed the significance of the situation, claiming that no explicit mention of targeting Leniu has taken place amongst his players.
When questioned about the media hype, Slater appeared somewhat oblivious, stating, "What situation is that?" However, Lockyer, speaking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, suggested otherwise, expressing his belief that the Leniu issue would have been addressed to motivate players. He remarked, "Origin motivates you naturally, but as a coach, if you can prod a few players and get them fired up, you do it," implying that discussions within the team likely revolved around making a statement against Leniu.
This marks Leniu’s second appearance on the Origin stage after making a solid impact last year, where his contributions were vital in the Blues’ series victory. Meanwhile, Queensland is bolstered by the return of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Cameron Munster, who will be significant assets in the match.
Lockyer also reflected on the notably restrained atmosphere leading into this year’s series, recognising that both Slater and Blues coach Laurie Daley might have been advising their teams to refrain from inflammatory comments, contrasting the more combative spirit of past years. He noted, "There are fewer shots fired these days compared to when there were more outspoken characters," suggesting that while both teams are typically keen rivals, coaches today discourage interactions that could stoke the oppositional fire.
In summary, the upcoming State of Origin clash promises to be charged, especially with Leniu at the centre of attention, but the approach from both sides appears to be strategically tempered, with less pre-game banter than in previous seasons.