Star front rower Spencer Leniu was sent to the sin bin for spraying referee Adam Gee as Samoa fell apart in a first-half implosion against Australia in their World Cup semi-final.
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Samoa was going to need a near-faultless performance from its leaders to upset the Kangaroos on Sunday and premiership-winning forward Leniu can, on his best day, be a genuine difference-maker on the bench.
But that is dependant on Leniu finding the right balance with his ultra-aggressive approach, which can at times see him go too far over the edge.
That was the case on Sunday as Leniu coughed up the ball early in the tackle count before Australia’s third try and then was part of the all-in melee that saw Gee call both captains Isaah Yeo and Jarome Luai together.
Leniu is then said to have taken it too far with Channel 7 sideline reporter and Kiwis legend Shaun Johnson claiming he “made a beeline” for referee Gee right before halftime.
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The two exchanged words and Leniu was subsequently sent to the sin bin.
Luke Keary, meanwhile, said on Channel 7’s coverage that Samoa front rower Junior Paulo spoke to Gee at halftime in what he described as an “animated discussion”.
“He’s not happy at all. He’s just stormed off,” Keary added.
Samoa conceded five penalties in the first half and for Johnson, Leniu “got this wrong”.
“They are playing a brand of footy that is putting in applying a whole heap of pressure onto the Samoan squad. They’re not able to control their emotions at the moment,” Johnson said.
“Their energy’s being put into the wrong places and when you get that, you bounce off tackles, you get people starting to try and make up for it.
“He’s an emotional player but he got this wrong.
“No player can approach a ref unless you’re the skipper. But not in this manner whatsoever. You can’t condone that sort of behaviour and he’ll be disappointed in himself.”
Leniu signed with the Eels earlier last month on a four-year deal after being granted a release by the Roosters.
He had one year to run on his Roosters contract which was reportedly worth $850,000 next season.
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