Sydney Roosters firebrand forward Spencer Leniu is still just 24 years old.
Yet he’s already one of the game’s most suspended and controversial players—something a former NRL premiership winner and NSW Blues star says needs to change if he is to realise his full potential.
Discussing Leniu’s role in instigating a first-half melee that saw four players sin-binned and hit with Contrary Conduct charges during the Round 23 match against the Dolphins, ABC Offsider panelist Ryan Hoffman was adamant Leniu could become one of the best forwards in the game, but first needed to eliminate the ‘brain explosion moments’ from his game.
“Unfortunately at the moment there is reputation of him being a liability,” Hoffman said.
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“I just wonder how good a player Spencer Leniu could be if he put all his focus and all his energy into just being a very good footballer,” Hoffman continued.
“It’s those incidents he needs to get out of his game to go to the next level.
“If he just focused on running the ball hard and defending well, he could be a ten-year State of Origin player and definitely an international.”
Hoffman was asked what role Leniu’s Roosters teammates should have in pulling him into line, especially in the heat of the moment during matches.
“They’ve got great leaders at the Roosters, great coaches as well,” Hoffman said.
“But it’s up to Spencer if he listens (to them).”
Sin binned by referee Gerard Sutton during the match against the Dolphins, Leniu was today hit with two contrary conduct charges by the NRL Match Review Committee amounting to $3,600 of fines with an early plea.
NRL MRC charges from the Round 23 Saturday fixtures pic.twitter.com/1cWpKsE7LJ
— Rugby League Central (@NRLMedia) August 10, 2025