In a surprising turn during the trial match against the Knights, Roosters prop Spencer Leniu found himself sin binned and sent for a head injury assessment in the same moment. The incident occurred early in the game after Leniu executed a high tackle on Phoenix Crossland, which left him stumbling and needing assistance from Knights players. Adding to the drama, he had already clashed heads with teammate Dylan Lucas earlier in the match.
Referee Peter Gough penalised Leniu for the tackle, sparking disbelief as he looked up at the replay board, clearly surprised by the sin bin decision, as noted by commentator Warren Smith. Rejoining the game with the Knights ahead 18-0, Leniu quickly demonstrated his impact on the field by initiating a rapid play-the-ball in a prime attacking position, leading to a try by teammate Daniel Tupou.
The Knights showcased their dominance throughout the first half, scoring six tries against the Roosters, underscoring a challenging pre-season outing for Leniu and his teammates.