Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson believes Spencer Leniu has learned a tough lesson and is ready to repay his team-mates when he returns from an eight-match ban for racial abuse in Sunday’s match against the Warriors.
Leniu, who was suspended for an on-field slur against Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam in the opening match of the season in Las Vegas, has effectively completed a second pre-season with the Roosters while on the sidelines.
As a proud Indigenous man, Watson was disappointed by Leniu’s actions in his debut for the Roosters at Allegiant Stadium, but he said the Samoan international now understood how hurtful his words were.
“It has been a long wait for him, but he's served his time and is really sorry for what happened,” Watson said.
“I've spoken to Spencer about it. He's really sincere, and he knows he said the wrong thing.
“He’s served his time and I think it's time to move on from it. It's good for him to get back out there now and I think he's going to want to make up for lost time.”
Watson is yet to play with Leniu as he missed the season opener, along with veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who will play his 300th match for the Roosters – just the fourth player to do so.
Behind the scenes of JWH's 300th game presentation
For most of his time out, Leniu has been training hard to ensure he is fully fit for his second appearance with the Roosters after joining the club from Penrith this season.
“I'm excited to see how he goes because he's pretty much just done another preseason, so his body's going to be feeling good,” Watson said.
“He's just had to do eight weeks of getting absolutely flogged so it will be interesting to see how he plays this weekend.
“I'm glad I'm not tackling him anymore because … I just think he's the hardest bloke to tackle.”
Watson on his memorable return
Roosters star back Joey Manu said Leniu had taken time to come to terms with his actions in Las Vegas and the lengthy suspension, but he had focused on training.
“Obviously when it first happened, it was very tough, but you can't really do too much,” Manu said.
“I think his attitude's been good around the place. He's just focused on staying fit and staying ready, so I think when he gets back out there, he doesn't want to let the team down again.
“He just wants to do his part and start playing some good footy.”
Manu's flipping brilliant
Roosters second-rower Sitili Tupouniua described Leniu as a “ball of energy” and said he was expecting him to play with the same aggression he is renowned.
“He's an emotional guy, I think we all see that he wears his heart on his sleeve,” Tupouniua said.
“I don’t think much will change, he might be a bit more contained with his emotions but I feel that Spencer will just play how Spencer usually plays.”
Leniu and Waerea-Hargreaves were both sinbinned after a heated clash at Allianz Stadium last season that threated to spill over off the field but there is no lingering bad blood from the incident.
Tupouniua said he was looking forward to the pair playing together for the first time against the Warriors.
“They're both just up alpha males so it will be good to see them both on the field - and hopefully they just stay on the field,” he said.