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.
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