In a moment that transcended State of Origin rivalry, Spencer Leniu and Ezra Mam buried their 16-month feud with a heartfelt embrace at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Wednesday night.
The emotional scene—captured just minutes after Queensland’s Origin II victory—marked a long-awaited end to a saga that began with a racial slur in Las Vegas and divided the NRL. Leniu’s post-game apology to Mam, Queensland’s 18th man, finally closed a chapter both players vowed to leave “in the past” .
The Turning Point
Amid the roar of 60,000 fans, Leniu sought out Mam in the stadium tunnel, extending a hand that swiftly turned into a hug. Witnesses described a “raw” exchange:
Leniu, still reeling from NSW’s agonizing loss, apologized for calling Mam a “monkey” during the 2024 season opener in Las Vegas—an incident that earned him an eight-week ban. Mam, who had consistently advocated for private resolution, accepted the olive branch, declaring:
“It’s great that me and Spencer got to see each other face to face… As for the racial vilification issue, that’s in the past now. We’ve moved forward.” .
The Feud’s Rocky History
The conflict’s roots trace back to March 2024, when Leniu, then debuting for the Roosters, used the racial slur against Mam during the NRL’s landmark Las Vegas match.
Leniu maintained the comment was “one brown man saying something to another,” denying intentional racism . The fallout escalated in 2025 when Leniu clashed with Maroons legend Johnathan Thurston, who argued the suspension was too lenient. Leniu branded Thurston “two-faced” on Instagram, triggering a media blackout from the prop .
Origin’s Shadow War
Queensland’s camp had weaponized Leniu’s status as “public enemy No. 1” to motivate players. Before Origin I, a Brisbane newspaper back page screamed: “Smash this Blues grub.” Maroons selector Darren Lockyer confirmed coaches used the feud to “prod” players, though coach Billy Slater publicly feigned ignorance .
Yet in Game I, Queensland bizarrely avoided engaging Leniu—kicking away from him and drawing his fury. By Game II, the animosity had dissolved into reconciliation .
Quiet Witnesses and Loud Symbolism
Broncos forward Patrick Carrigan—who confronted Leniu in a Vegas hotel after the slur—watched the embrace intently but did not intervene.
His presence underscored the moment’s gravity for the Broncos squad, which had rallied around Mam during the saga. Mam’s recent return from a nine-game suspension (unrelated to the feud) added layers to his emotional Origin selection .
Why This Closure Matters
The détente is a victory for the NRL’s embattled culture. For months, the feud exposed rifts in rugby league’s approach to race, accountability, and media scrutiny.
Leniu’s decision to break his media ban and initiate contact signals personal growth, while Mam’s grace under public pressure—including false claims he felt “booed” due to the saga—reflects maturity. As Mam stated:
“I will continue to work on being a better person”.
The Road Ahead
Both players now turn focus to club duties, with Mam’s Broncos facing Leniu’s Roosters in August—a match that will test their newfound peace.
As the 40/20 podcast dissects the reconciliation’s impact, the embrace stands as an iconic Origin moment: proof that even the fiercest rivalries can yield to humanity .
