Sydney Roosters’ Star Faces Two-Game Ban in Tough Season Opener
In a recent development, Spencer Leniu of the Sydney Roosters has been handed a two-game ban for a high tackle during a trial match against the Knights. This suspension comes as a blow to the Roosters, who will now have to navigate the first two rounds of the NRL season without Leniu’s contributions on the field. The ban stems from a grade-two careless high tackle charge, which Leniu received on Monday. With this penalty in place, Leniu will be unavailable for the Roosters’ upcoming matches against Brisbane and Penrith, should he choose to plead guilty. However, if he decides to contest the charge at a pre-season judiciary hearing and is unsuccessful, he risks an additional week on the sidelines.
The Roosters’ woes were compounded by Leniu’s ban, as the team had already suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the Newcastle Knights, losing 48-10. To make matters worse, Mark Nawaqanitawase sustained a calf injury during the match, adding to the team’s list of setbacks. Leniu’s high tackle incident during the trial game has forced the Roosters to reevaluate their defensive strategies, particularly their goal-line defense, which proved lacking in the face of the Knights’ offensive onslaught. This turn of events comes at a crucial juncture for the Roosters, who are grappling with the departure of several key players from last season’s lineup.
The Roosters find themselves in a challenging position as they gear up for the start of the NRL season without star players like Joey Manu, Joseph-Suaalii, Luke Keary, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who have either moved on to other leagues or are sidelined with injuries. The absence of these key figures has left a void in the Roosters’ lineup, with new recruits and remaining players tasked with stepping up to fill the gaps. Leniu, in particular, was expected to play a crucial role in the team’s defensive line following the departure of Waerea-Hargreaves. However, his suspension has added an unexpected hurdle to the Roosters’ plans for the upcoming season.
Despite the setbacks faced by the Roosters, they are not alone in dealing with disciplinary issues ahead of the NRL season. South Sydney’s Lewis Dodd has accepted a one-game ban for a high tackle on Sione Finau in a recent Charity Shield match against St George Illawarra. Dodd’s suspension means that he will be absent from the lineup for South Sydney’s opening game against the Dolphins. This setback comes at a time when South Sydney is already grappling with injuries to key players like Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell, further complicating their preparations for the season ahead.
In a similar vein, Canterbury Bulldogs’ Josh Curran is also set to miss the team’s opening-round clash with St George Illawarra due to a one-match ban for a high tackle. These disciplinary actions serve as a reminder of the importance of player safety and adherence to the rules of the game, as teams navigate the challenges of a new NRL season amid ongoing uncertainties and setbacks.
As the NRL season kicks off, teams like the Roosters, South Sydney, and Canterbury will need to regroup, adapt, and overcome the obstacles in their path to stay competitive in the league. The coming weeks will test the resilience and depth of these teams as they strive to make their mark in the highly competitive world of rugby league. The stage is set for an action-packed season full of twists and turns, where every match counts in the pursuit of glory and success.