Penrith firebrand Spencer Leniu has been given the all clear to play in Sunday’s NRL grand final – but admits he can’t remember parts of last Saturday’s spiteful preliminary final, including wanting to take on Taane Milne and the South Sydney bench.
Leniu was ruled out of the game with 15 minutes remaining because of a second head injury assessment. He had to be restrained from Milne before being rushed up the tunnel at Accor Stadium.
The young prop was cleared by a doctor on Monday, resumed light running on Tuesday and will not be allowed any contact at training until Friday.
Leniu said he had never experienced a concussion during his 60 NRL games, which the medicos told him would help with a speedy recovery for the decider against Parramatta.
“I can’t really remember much of it to be honest, it was the heat of the moment,” Leniu told the Herald about the Milne incident.
“I was concussed. The first time I was a bit rattled, but the second [head knock] was worse.
Spencer Leniu after Taane Milne’s high tackle on Saturday.Credit:Getty
“I don’t remember much from the night. I’ve watched the game back over. I’ll follow the normal procedures everyone else takes. I saw a doctor on Monday and he cleared me.
“I’ve never been concussed in my whole 20 years of playing league. The doc was pretty shocked when I told him that. Because there’s no history, it made it easier for him to clear me.”
Leniu said he had no issues with Milne, who was hit with a six-match ban and will essentially miss the World Cup with Fiji as a result.
Milne, who became the first player sent off in a finals game in 28 years, had not reached out to Leniu, nor did the Panther expect an apology.
“Whatever happens on the field, stays on the field,” Leniu said.
“That’s everyone’s motto. I honestly can’t remember too much what happened afterwards [with Milne]. I just remember all our coaching staff pulling me up the tunnel.
“I pulled up really well after the game. I couldn’t sleep, but that was more the adrenaline.
“The possibility I might be ruled out of a ‘GF’ was probably the reason I was so angry. That was why I was so frustrated, but I’ve been cleared now.”
Souths star Latrell Mitchell showed immediate concern for Leniu after being coat-hangered by Milne.
Coach Ivan Cleary said after the game it was probably best Leniu did not return because he was so fired up. Leniu, 22, has the ability to produce a non-compromising brand of football in short bursts for the premiers.
“He is emotional and doesn’t take a backward step,” Cleary said after the win over Souths.
Leniu added on Tuesday: “Every prop has that mentality, and if you don’t have that aggression, you can’t call yourself a prop. It’s one of the good attributes I have.”
Leniu has another year remaining on his deal but is likely to leave Penrith given Moses Leota and James Fisher-Harris are the long-term starting front-rowers. The local junior has attracted plenty of interest – he passed on Craig Bellamy and the Storm a few years ago to recommit to Penrith – with the chance to play longer minutes his main goal.
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