Queensland had an opportunity to assert themselves in the opening match of the State of Origin by targeting Blues player Spencer Leniu, who had been a focal point of pre-match banter. A headline from a leading Brisbane newspaper urged fans to “smash this Blues grub”, following Leniu’s controversial history, including a racial slur incident in the past and a heated exchange with Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston earlier this season.
Leniu started the game on the bench but was brought on after NSW scored the first try. Upon entering, the Suncorp Stadium crowd recognised him immediately, showering him with boos as he prepared to take his first hit-up. However, rather than challenging him directly, Queensland opted to kick away from Leniu, which left him visibly frustrated. Commentators noted that he was ready to engage, but the Maroons chose a conservative approach instead of confronting Leniu head-on.
Despite the pre-match build-up and calls for a physical attitude towards Leniu, the Maroons failed to capitalise on this narrative, ultimately losing to the Blues 18-6. During his brief time on the field, Leniu made seven runs and was instrumental in providing momentum for his team, achieving a perfect tackle efficiency.
In summary, while Queensland had set the stage for a fierce contest against Leniu, they missed an opportunity to leverage the rivalry when it mattered most, resulting in a disappointing result.