After Roosters prop Spencer Leniu claimed at the judiciary that players of colour in NRL squads are regularly called each other names including “blacky”, “monkey” and “black c—“, Manly star Haumole Olakau’atu has voiced his support for the banned Samoan international.
Leniu admitted on Monday night he told Mam to “f— up you monkey” during a verbal stoush in the Las Vegas season-opening double-header against Brisbane.
During a 90-minute hearing, Leniu said he thought he was “one brown man saying something to another brown man” and did not realise the racial connotations of the comment.
Olakau’atu has backed up Leniu by saying such talk is common place in the NRL while saying he thought the former Panther should not have copped a lengthy suspension for the Mam incident despite the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Johnathan Thurston saying he should have been banned for 12 weeks.
“We do use those words for banter, and for a laugh. We don’t use it for anything else or have any emotions behind it,” the Tongan international told reporters on Tuesday.
“We’ve been called everything growing up. Us Polynesians have it tough growing up. Was the eight weeks too long? For me, personally, yes. It was way too long. At the end of the day he apologised, right? He got charged. That is it.
“Four weeks would have been more than enough. You don’t know what’s going through his head now.
“Spencer said what he said, he didn’t mean it, and I believe him. I can see where he’s coming from [in his belief that terms were not racist]. We do know some of the history of the Aboriginals on this land. For him to say that word, I didn’t think it was that big of a thing until it happened.”
Olakau’atu, like Leniu at the hearing, said he was unaware of former Sydney Swans AFL star Adam Goodes’ experience in dealing with racism a decade ago when the Indigenous player was called an “ape” by a Collingwood spectator.
“I was even called coconut growing up in school. I got used to it. To me they are just words now,” the Manly forward said.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Greyhounds NSW fire contractor over Mam comment
Greyhounds NSW has fired the person responsible for a form-guide note that said punters could “go bananas” over a dog named in honour of Ezra Mam, the Indigenous NRL star called a “monkey” by a rival player.
Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu was handed an eight-game ban by the NRL on Monday for directing the slur at Brisbane five-eighth Mam during the sides’ round-one clash in Las Vegas.
The incident has cast a long shadow over the sport’s foray into the US market and the start of the 2024 season.
On the same night as Leniu faced the NRL judiciary, Greyhounds NSW was forced to issue an apology after the incident was mocked in the online form guide for a race in Maitland.
“Go Bananas! Let’s see IF we can get some positive Headlines, tonight?” read the notes for the runner Ezra Man, followed by descriptions of the dog’s recent form.
The comment was later removed from Greyhounds NSW’s website but the change did not flow through to the websites of the organisation’s wagering partners.
The organisation (GRNSW) confirmed the contractor responsible for the comment had been dismissed.
The organisation’s chief executive Robert Macaulay has reached out to Mam and his family to apologise directly, a spokesperson said.
“GRNSW is appalled by what was published, and apologises unreservedly for the comment, and the distress it has caused,” a statement from Greyhounds NSW read.
“GRNSW also apologises unreservedly to its partners who were unwittingly and through no fault of their own, caught up in the incident.
“GRNSW will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and appropriate action has been taken.”
The form guide from Greyhounds NSW’s websites syndicates to those of betting agencies, which were unable to remove the content from their own channels.
Sportsbet abandoned betting on the race after the complaint was brought to its attention via social media on Monday night.
The organisation has since been in contact with the NRL to confirm it had not been responsible for the comment, which appeared on its website and app.
with AAP
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Does anyone actually believe that Olakau’atu came forward with this story or was it some mug with a recorder loafing around training looking to create yet another angle on this “story” who goaded him into a comment?
jdoodle
Roar Rookie
yeah nah a hypocrite is hypocrite regardless of what imaginary friend you are using to justify discrimination with.
MGM
Roar Rookie
Three comments so far and all no doubt from people that have no spiritual or religious beliefs. .. Besides the fact that one thing has nothing to do with the other (that whole apples and oranges thing) .. I have to wonder how you cope with the really tough and often tragic moments in life that eventually and unfortunately happen to us all. And what do you teach your children to believe in ? ... Once again, Haumole Olakau'atu has shown that he is a truth teller and has the courage of his convictions , qualities that we should encourage in all people no matter what the subject matter. .. We certainly shouldn't be trying to tear them down for being truthful , or showing empathy to someone who is under such enormous attack (even if , like Leniu , he has unwittingly brought it on himself!) ... The fact that many of the Pacifica players are misguided in their attitude to this kind of banter is much clearer to them all after this "blow-up" and , by extension, to their wider community. .... I've no doubt that all NRL clubs will make every effort to educate all players that indulge in this so-called "banter" . .. And you can bet every club already knows who they need to "educate" and every club will have some. .. .. Who knows , hopefully at least some of those players that will now be forced to change their ways (if they want to continue to receive the hefty pay packet that their Islander mate slugging it out as a labourer would die for!) , might even influence some of their mates in that wider community to change their attitudes and get with the 21st century . .. ... You three might think I'm dreaming , but that's where a bit of faith comes in . ... Faith in mankind's ability to change and adapt , .. faith that good things can come out of a bad situation , .. faith in God. ... ... One thing IS for sure , .. if anyone is going to learn to be more respectful and change for the better and maybe even pass on what he has learned to his peers and wider community it will be the brave and God fearing men in our League such as Haumole Olakau"atu.
jdoodle
Roar Rookie
https://manlyobserver.com.au/seven-manly-players-refuse-to-play-in-rainbow-jersey/ this is one of the players who refused to wear a multi coloured strip. Yep he is someone who's opinion should carry a lot of weight.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
What a cop out answer from him. This does nothing but 1. Normalise racism and 2. Makes victims look bad for rightfully being upset towards being racially abused. Leniu had the opportunity to apologise during the Triple M interview and in the team hotel I. Vegas. Instead he doubled down and only apologized/admitted guilt after the situation got worse for him. Back to Olakau'atu. If words don't hurt you, then why does a few colours on a jersey?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Olakau’atu , refused to play because he did not like the jersey ! But calling someone a “black c—“ is OK? Thinks integrity, morals and social standards only apply to his heritage and religion & no one else's.