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Queensland legend Darren Lockyer believes there’s “little question” the Spencer Leniu difficulty would have been raised in camp previous to the State of Origin opener.
The firebrand NSW Blues prop was concerned in a well-publicised spat with Johnathan Thurston earlier this yr stemming from final yr’s racism saga, when Leniu was handed an extended suspension for calling Ezra Mam a “monkey” throughout a recreation.
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Leniu would be the centre of consideration on Wednesday night time in entrance of fifty,000 diehard followers at Suncorp Stadium.
A Brisbane newspaper headline on Tuesday urged the Maroons to “smash this Blues grub”, throwing a match on the fireplace that was little question already burning north of the Tweed.
Billy Slater denied that going after Leniu had been spoken about together with his gamers, even questioning what all of the fuss was about in his pre-game press convention.
Johnathan Thurston and Spencer Leniu clashed earlier this yr. NRL Images
When requested in regards to the newspaper headline and the simmering Leniu feud the Queensland coach replied, “what state of affairs is that?”.
However talking on Extensive World of Sports activities’ QLDER, one of many Maroons selectors solid doubt on Slater’s denial.
“I reckon that may have been addressed sooner or later within the camp,” Lockyer stated.
“Origin motivates you naturally – however as a coach, for those who can prod just a few gamers and get them fired up, you do it.
“I’ve obtained little question there would have been a dialog inside the group like ‘hey boys, let’s try to show a degree right here and get caught into him’.”
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Spencer Leniu can be public enemy No.1 in Queensland. Getty
Leniu made his Origin debut final yr and was huge off the bench for the Blues as they got here from behind to say the collection 2-1.
This yr, Queensland will welcome again Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in a serious increase to their front-row shares, whereas Cameron Munster is about to return at five-eighth.
Lockyer was additionally quizzed in regards to the tame build-up to the collection and acknowledged that Slater and Blues coach Laurie Daley would have been “instructing” their stars to maintain a lid on issues.
“Positively as we have developed, there’s much less photographs fired – again within the day, there have been loads of characters in both workforce that may be keen to fireside up the opposition,” he stated.
“I feel that each coaches can be instructing gamers to not say something to inspire the opposition.
“It’s what it’s nowadays, however I am positive there are many Queenslanders who do not want any motivation anyway.”
