{{short description|Samoan international rugby league footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Use British English|date=May 2022}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Spencer Leniu |fullname = |image = Spencer Leniu post-match 2021 RLWC Final.jpg |image_size = |position = {{rlp|PR}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|09|08|df=yes}} | birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand | height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|110|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} | club1 = Penrith Panthers | year1start = 2019 | year1end = 23 | appearances1 = 83 | tries1 = 8 | goals1 = 0 | fieldgoals1 = 0 | points1 = 32 | club2 = Sydney Roosters | year2start = 2024 | year2end = present | appearances2 = 44 | tries2 = 2 | goals2 = 0 | fieldgoals2 = 0 | points2 = 8 |teamA = Samoa |yearAstart = 2022 |yearAend = 23 |appearancesA = 7 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |teamB = New South Wales |yearBstart = 2024 |yearBend = 25 |appearancesB = 6 |triesB = 0 |goalsB = 0 |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 0 |new = yes |source =<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/spencer-leniu/summary.html |title=Rugby League Project |access-date=9 August 2019 |archive-date=5 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705112612/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/spencer-leniu/summary.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |updated = 30 May 2026 }}
'''Spencer Leniu''' (born 8 September 2000) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr}} for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL).
==Background== Of Samoan descent, Leniu was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and grew up in Western Sydney.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-07 |title=NZ-born Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu pleads guilty to racial slur against Brisbane Broncos rival Ezra Mam|url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2024/03/nrl-nz-born-sydney-roosters-forward-spencer-leniu-pleads-guilty-to-racial-slur-against-brisbane-broncos-rival-ezra-mam.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240310005012/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2024/03/nrl-nz-born-sydney-roosters-forward-spencer-leniu-pleads-guilty-to-racial-slur-against-brisbane-broncos-rival-ezra-mam.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 March 2024 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Newshub |language=en}}</ref> He played for the Minchinbury Jets in the Penrith District Junior Rugby League.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-18 |title=Leniu signs new Panthers deal |url=https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/news/2020/12/18/leniu-signs-new-panthers-deal/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Penrith Panthers |language=en}}</ref>
==Career==
===2019=== Leniu made his first grade debut for Penrith against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in round 21 of the 2019 NRL season which ended in a 26–20 victory for Penrith at Panthers Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/06/round-21-nrl-team-announcements/ |title=NRL Round 21 team announcements |publisher=NRL.com |accessdate=6 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806130139/https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/06/round-21-nrl-team-announcements/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/penrith-rookies-hold-out-cronulla-in-nrl-c-392122/|title=Penrith rookies hold out Cronulla in NRL|website=7 News|date=9 August 2019|access-date=9 August 2019|archive-date=9 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809132439/https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/penrith-rookies-hold-out-cronulla-in-nrl-c-392122|url-status=live}}</ref>
===2020=== Leniu played 12 games for Penrith in the 2020 NRL season but did not feature in the clubs finals campaign or the 2020 NRL Grand Final loss to Melbourne.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
===2021=== Leniu played a total of 19 games for Penrith in the 2021 NRL season including the club's 2021 NRL Grand Final victory over South Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/04/one-of-finest-nrl-grand-finals-of-all-time-provides-cure-to-difficult-season/|title=One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season|website=www.theguardian.com|date=3 October 2021|access-date=4 October 2021|archive-date=4 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004125621/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/oct/04/one-of-finest-nrl-grand-finals-of-all-time-provides-cure-to-difficult-season|url-status=live}}</ref>
===2022=== Leniu played 25 games for Penrith in the 2022 NRL season including the clubs 2022 NRL Grand Final victory over Parramatta.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-grand-final-penrith-panthers-grand-final-celebrations-accor-stadium-grounds-buggy-jarome-luai-social-media-post-news-parramatta-eels-results-highlights/news-story/1a26e12e295fd2af8a2c5dd0782a7c2e/|title='Parra are our sons': Panther's cheeky Eels sledge as stars run riot, Luai has another dig|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=3 October 2022|access-date=4 October 2022|archive-date=4 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004114112/https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-grand-final-penrith-panthers-grand-final-celebrations-accor-stadium-grounds-buggy-jarome-luai-social-media-post-news-parramatta-eels-results-highlights/news-story/1a26e12e295fd2af8a2c5dd0782a7c2e/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In October Leniu was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ |title=Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021 |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=18 November 2022 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206184726/https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===2023=== On 18 February, Leniu played in Penrith's 13–12 upset loss to St Helens RFC in the 2023 World Club Challenge. On February, Leniu announced he will join Sydney Roosters from 2024 onwards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64692630|title=St Helens: World Club Challenge win 'seismic for British rugby league'|work=BBC Sport |date=19 February 2023 |access-date=20 February 2023|archive-date=20 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220125645/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64692630|url-status=live}}</ref> Leniu was selected as 19th man in the NSW Blues State of Origin squad for Game 3.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-03/state-of-origin-game-three-squads-nsw-drops-jarome-luai/102554138|title=State of Origin game three teams: New South Wales drops Jarome Luai ahead of dead rubber clash with Queensland|newspaper=ABC News|date=3 July 2023 |access-date=13 July 2023|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713084722/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-03/state-of-origin-game-three-squads-nsw-drops-jarome-luai/102554138|url-status=live}}</ref> Leniu played 21 games for Penrith in the 2023 NRL season including the clubs 26–24 victory over Brisbane in the 2023 NRL Grand Final as Penrith won their third straight premiership.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/oct/01/nrl-grand-final-2023-penrith-panthers-vs-brisbane-broncos-live-updates-scores-results-teams-squads-kick-off-time-accor-stadium-sydney/|title=NRL grand final 2023: Penrith Panthers defeat Brisbane Broncos – as it happened|newspaper=The Guardian|date=October 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023|archive-date=1 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001123551/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/oct/01/nrl-grand-final-2023-penrith-panthers-vs-brisbane-broncos-live-updates-scores-results-teams-squads-kick-off-time-accor-stadium-sydney|url-status=live |last1=Howcroft |first1=Jonathan }}</ref>
===2024=== In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Leniu was placed on report during the Sydney Roosters victory over Brisbane at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It was alleged that Leniu had called Brisbane player Ezra Mam a "monkey". The incident was immediately reported to the NRL judiciary.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-68464908|title=Ezra Mam: Australian rugby league star accuses rival of using racist slur|work=BBC News |date=4 March 2024 |access-date=4 March 2024|archive-date=4 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304072402/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-68464908|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2024/mar/03/nrl-in-las-vegas-sea-eagles-vs-rabbitohs-broncos-v-roosters-live-updates-start-times-ticket-sales-scores-local-time-allegiant-stadium/|title=Roosters & Sea Eagles victorious – as it happened|website=www.theguardian.com|access-date=4 March 2024|archive-date=3 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303140930/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2024/mar/03/nrl-in-las-vegas-sea-eagles-vs-rabbitohs-broncos-v-roosters-live-updates-start-times-ticket-sales-scores-local-time-allegiant-stadium|url-status=live}}</ref> Leniu pleaded guilty to a contrary conduct charge and was suspended for eight games at the sentencing hearing on 11 March.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bryce |first1=Bindi |last2=Healy |first2=Jon |title=Roosters' Spencer Leniu suspended for eight NRL games over racial slur against Ezra Mam |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-11/spencer-leniu-ezra-mam-racism-judiciary-hearing/103573742 |access-date=11 March 2024 |work=ABC News |date=11 March 2024 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Leniu was asked about the racial vilification aimed at AFL legend Adam Goodes which ended his career, but the Sydney Roosters prop claimed he didn't know who Goodes was.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-spencer-leniu-staggering-claim-adam-goodes-judiciary-hands-down-big-ban-194139486.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGgeV60pe-w0v4KN7kKs8F8emwPwFlbPGmARe3vBIpQrIVhw1fe4CQaTVWVh4AGoFNcMh45Y0PuYFhL2qVzWV9AXrVaQxrK9XCfxVcbZ3TfR2kEo9PTq4WWKK2DsuAwswh1S-KeamPFs9dxPN4wPn_kRyZpeH2qLCbz-oqHUL80l/|title=Spencer Leniu's staggering claim about Adam Goodes as NRL judiciary hands down big ban|website=au.sports.yahoo.com|date=11 March 2024 }}</ref>
On 21 May, the Sydney Roosters hit back at claims that Leniu had been taking illegal substances on a live stream along with fellow players Brandon Smith, Zach Dockar-Clay, Naufahu Whyte and Terrell May. The club released a statement which read "The Sydney Roosters have been made aware of a small clip from a longer live stream that some on social media have claimed identifies behaviour that breaches NRL rules. "The clip reveals no use of illicit substances or any other breach of NRL rules, however some see fit to make that grossly distorted and clearly damaging claim".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-sydney-roosters-statement-live-stream-brandon-smith-spencer-leniu-terrell-may-instagram-club-responds-club-statement-video/news-story/a9ec5e07bc2d2ecc0a6c17d74508b500/|title='Not right': Tedesco defends teammates as Roosters blast 'grossly distorted' claims over viral video|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=22 May 2024 }}</ref>
On 26 May, Leniu was one of the surprise selections by New South Wales ahead of the 2024 State of Origin series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/05/26/blues-announce-new-look-squad-for-origin-opener/|title=Blues name six rookies, new captain for Origin opener|website=www.nrl.com|date=26 May 2024 }}</ref> He played in all 3 games of the series off the bench. Leniu played 17 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2024 NRL season. He played in all three finals matches for the club as they were defeated in the preliminary final by Melbourne.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-sydney-roosters-season-review-the-mole-analysis-20241001-p5kesz.html/|title=The Mole's end of season review: Maligned signing suddenly looms as Roosters saviour after exodus, injuries|website=www.nine.com.au|date=30 September 2024 }}</ref>
===2025===
Early in the 2025 NRL season, Spencer found himself in hot water again after accusing former NRL player Johnathan Thurston of being a "f*cking cu*t" and "remember no means no". Leniu later denied approaching Thurston and stated that Thurston himself came over to him. Leniu stated that he didn't want to talk with Thurston and he came over to him twice to speak, Leniu further said "Don't be two face. Hate me lad I'm eestwa (sweet) with that. But don't be fake".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-12 |title='Don't be fake': Leniu's fresh JT attack after 'f***wit' sideline spray as NRL's likely response revealed |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2025-confrontation-between-spencer-leniu-and-johnathan-thurston-roosters-win-over-broncos-trent-robinson-press-conference-racism-scandal-ezra-mam-news-videos/news-story/f186fa5c2335a77df732bc2d7d3ddff1 |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=Fox Sports |language=en}}</ref> Leniu escaped sanction due to Thurston or Channel 9 not making a formal complaint. In May, Leniu was selected by New South Wales for the 2025 State of Origin series. He played in all three games as NSW lost the series 2–1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gould |first=Scott Bailey and Joel |date=2025-04-12 |title=Leniu to avoid trouble unless Nine or Thurston complain |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8940926/leniu-to-avoid-trouble-unless-nine-or-thurston-complain/ |access-date=2025-04-12 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}}</ref> Leniu played 20 games for the Sydney Roosters in the 2025 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Leniu played in the clubs elimination final loss against Cronulla.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-the-mole-season-review-sydney-roosters-exclusive-20250917-p5mvze.html/|title=The Mole's season review: Looming Daly Cherry-Evans signing could help fix Roosters' biggest issue|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
== Statistics == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |- |2019 | rowspan="5" |{{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} Penrith Panthers |5 | | |- |2020 |12 | | |- |2021 |20 |1 |4 |- |2022 |25 |6 |24 |- |2023 |21 |1 |4 |- |2024 | rowspan="3" |{{leagueicon|Sydney|16}} Sydney Roosters |17 |1 |4 |- |2025 |20 |1 |4 |- |2026 |7 | | |- | |Totals |126 |10 |40 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/penrith-panthers/spencer-leniu/ Panthers profile] *[https://www.nrl.com/players/rugby-league-world-cup/samoa/Spencer-Leniu/ Samoa profile]
{{Sydney Roosters squad}} {{Penrith Panthers squad 2021 NRL premiership}} {{Penrith Panthers squad 2022 NRL premiership}} {{Penrith Panthers squad 2023 NRL premiership}} {{Samoa 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leniu, Spencer}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players Category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent Category:New Zealand rugby league players Category:Penrith Panthers players Category:Rugby league players from Auckland Category:Rugby league props Category:Samoa national rugby league team players Category:Samoan rugby league players Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:Sydney Roosters players