David Fifita angered the Sydney Roosters when he backed out of a deal to join them last year – now he’s given their bitter rivals South Sydney a timely reminder about how to unsettle Spencer Leniu.
Fifita smashed Leniu in a tackle in the 57th minute last Friday, and quickly let him know about it before Leniu started to see red.
For the next six minutes, Leniu ran around trying to flatten a few Titans forwards, including Fifita. In the 63rd minute, Leniu went after Fifita, only for the Titans back-rower to laugh in his face before he conceded a penalty. The Titans marched downfield and scored five minutes later. They never surrendered that lead.
Leniu has been a standout in a struggling Roosters’ pack but has in the past been guilty of lacking discipline, including in this year’s trials when he was hit with a two-match ban for a careless high tackle.
Souths forward Jai Arrow, who once clashed with Leniu after the NSW prop refused to shake his hand for disrespecting Nathan Cleary after a game in 2022, said the Samoan international only had one gear.
Like Fifita, Arrow will defend on the right edge, the same side of the field where Leniu will take his share of hit-ups.
“Spencer is aggressive, he’s a really good front-rower for them, we have no doubts he’ll be out there running hard and tackling harder, but I’m happy if he gives away a few penalties, that’s for sure,” Arrow said.
Prop Junior Tatola added: “Spencer has won a few grand finals with Penrith, he’s been one of the top front-rowers in the game for a little bit now; I didn’t see what David Fifita did the other night, but Spencer is good for a penalty.
“Some people tend to go a bit crazy when you get under their skin.
“In the heat of the game, you never know what happens. We exchange words [with players] all the time.
“Spencer is a big competitor, he doesn’t like to lose. We’ll try to match him up front and hopefully win that middle battle.”
Arrow loves the Rabbitohs-Roosters rivalry. He upset Roosters fans after his first derby by admitting to staying down to win a penalty after being punched in the back of the head by Daniel Suluka-Fifita.
Meanwhile, Arrow is no certainty to play against Leniu and the Chooks should his fiancee, Berina, go into labour before the match.
The couple are due to welcome their first daughter in the next week, and Arrow has already informed coach Wayne Bennett he could be a late scratching.
“I spoke to Wayne, I told him I’m all in for this Friday, but if my missus goes into labour, I’ll be with her.”
“We play in Perth next weekend and if the bub hasn’t arrived by next Thursday, I won’t make the trip over.”
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