Leniu-JT Stoush Handshake Snub: Explosive NRL Drama Unraveled
The Leniu-JT stoush handshake snub has ignited rugby league, with fresh details revealing a heated clash between Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu and NRL legend Johnathan Thurston. On April 11, 2025, during the Roosters’ 26-16 win over the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, Leniu unleashed a verbal tirade at Thurston, followed by a reported handshake snub with Broncos hooker Billy Walters, whom Leniu labeled a “snitch.” This fallout, tied to last year’s racism controversy, has fans buzzing and the NRL world dissecting every moment. What sparked this fiery confrontation, and what does it mean for the game? Let’s unpack the drama.
Table of Contents
- The Leniu-JT Stoush Handshake Snub Incident
- Roots of the Conflict
- The Handshake Snub with Billy Walters
- Reactions from Coaches and Players
- Impact on the NRL’s Image
- Conclusion
The Leniu-JT Stoush Handshake Snub Incident
The Leniu-JT stoush handshake snub unfolded late in the Roosters-Broncos clash. As Leniu left the field in the final 20 minutes, he turned to Thurston, a Channel 9 commentator, and allegedly called him a “f–kwit,” per the Courier-Mail. Post-match, tensions escalated in the grandstand tunnel, with reports claiming Leniu used harsher language, branding Thurston a “f–king c–t.” The confrontation stemmed from Thurston’s 2024 comments criticizing Leniu’s eight-week ban for a racial slur against Broncos’ Ezra Mam as too lenient.
Leniu took to Instagram Stories on April 12, accusing Thurston of being “two-faced” and initiating contact. “I NEVER WANTED TO TALK TO JT. HE KEPT TRYING TO SPEAK TO ME!” Leniu wrote, insisting he rejected Thurston’s questions to avoid pretense. The drama didn’t end there—Leniu also snubbed a handshake from Walters, reportedly calling him a “snitch” for reasons tied to the same Vegas incident, amplifying the saga’s intensity.
Roots of the Conflict
The Leniu-JT stoush handshake snub traces back to March 2024, when Leniu admitted to calling Mam a “monkey” during a match in Las Vegas, leading to an eight-week suspension. Thurston, a proud Indigenous figure, argued the punishment failed the Indigenous community, advocating for a 12-week ban. “The NRL had a great opportunity to make a stand,” he said on Nine’s Today, highlighting the “mental scars” such slurs reopen. Leniu, who pleaded guilty and expressed remorse, felt targeted by Thurston’s remarks, especially after Thurston revisited the issue on a podcast during the 2024 finals.
Leniu’s Instagram post revealed lingering resentment, suggesting Thurston’s public stance felt personal. “Don’t come up to me asking questions like we’re all good,” Leniu vented, reflecting a clash of perspectives—Thurston’s advocacy versus Leniu’s desire to move on. This history fueled their fiery exchange, with the handshake snub adding another layer of controversy.
The Handshake Snub with Billy Walters
Adding fuel to the Leniu-JT stoush handshake snub, Leniu reportedly rejected a post-match handshake from Walters, a Broncos hooker present during the 2024 Vegas incident. According to Nots Corp, Leniu called Walters a “snitch,” possibly referencing Walters’ proximity when Mam was targeted, though specifics remain unclear. Walters, caught off guard, faced Leniu’s aggression, which Thurston later described as “overly aggressive in tone and unwarranted.”
This snub underscores Leniu’s emotional state post-game, where he seemed intent on settling scores. The term “snitch,” rooted in street culture from Leniu’s Mount Druitt upbringing, suggests a deep-seated aversion to perceived betrayal, as noted by Fox League’s Phil Rothfield. While minor in isolation, the snub amplified the broader narrative, drawing scrutiny to Leniu’s conduct and the unresolved tensions from Vegas.
Reactions from Coaches and Players
Roosters coach Trent Robinson defended Leniu, framing the Leniu-JT stoush handshake snub as a clash of “two passionate guys” with differing opinions. “From what I saw, there was no crossing the line,” Robinson told reporters, urging caution against media exaggeration. He emphasized Leniu didn’t initiate contact, a point echoed in Leniu’s social media outburst. However, Robinson’s defense sidestepped the handshake snub with Walters, focusing on the Thurston exchange.
Thurston, in a statement, expressed shock at Leniu’s aggression, clarifying his 2024 comments weren’t personal. “I approached Spencer to seek clarity,” he said, noting Leniu misinterpreted his advocacy as an attack. Broncos players, including Walters, stayed silent publicly, but the team’s board acknowledged the incident’s emotional weight, given Mam’s absence due to a prior suspension. The NRL, per AAP, won’t investigate unless a formal complaint arises, leaving resolution uncertain.
Impact on the NRL’s Image
The Leniu-JT stoush handshake snub reignites debates about the NRL’s handling of player conduct and cultural sensitivity. Leniu’s 2024 ban aimed to signal zero tolerance for racism, yet his clash with Thurston—an Indigenous icon—suggests lingering friction. The handshake snub, while less severe, fuels perceptions of disrespect, challenging the league’s unity narrative, especially after initiatives like the Indigenous All Stars match.
Fans on X are divided: some back Leniu’s raw honesty, others slam his aggression as unprofessional. The incident risks overshadowing the Roosters’ win, highlighting the NRL’s challenge in balancing passion with decorum. As the league promotes inclusivity, such public spats test its progress, urging leaders to foster dialogue over division. For more on NRL’s cultural initiatives, visit NRL’s official site.
Conclusion
The Leniu-JT stoush handshake snub is more than a sideline spat—it’s a collision of past grievances, personal pride, and cultural weight. Leniu’s fiery words and refusal to shake Walters’ hand reveal unresolved tensions from his 2024 controversy, while Thurston’s shock underscores the divide. As the NRL navigates this fallout, the incident reminds us of rugby league’s raw emotion and the work needed to heal old wounds. Whether this sparks reconciliation or further clashes, it’s a defining moment for the game’s heart and soul.
Read Also: Assessing the odds of NEAR’s reversal signal fueling a 15% hike