New Parramatta chief executive Mike Rush says it is unfair that the two-match ban handed down to Samoa firebrand Spencer Leniu during the World Cup will wipe him out of the Eels’ 2027 season opener, pointing to a loophole that has previously allowed players to serve their suspensions in trials.
Leniu has accepted a two-game ban for making a money gesture, which was interpreted as questioning the integrity of the referees, after Adam Gee sin-binned him for dissent in Samoa’s semi-final loss to Australia. The four-time premiership-winning forward must serve the sanction in NRL matches, delaying his start for the Eels, including their round one match against the Titans in Las Vegas.
Under NRL rules, grade-three charges - such as the one Leniu received - can’t be served in trials.
During the last World Cup, held in England in 2022, Roosters forward Angus Crichton used an International Rugby League [IRL] loophole to serve a one-game ban for elbowing Chanel Harris-Tavita in the tournament during the pre-season.
Because that World Cup was staged in England, Crichton was bound by IRL rules which allow suspensions to be served in trials. However, under NRL rules, that’s not an option for Leniu.
The NRL has been contacted for comment.
“From the club’s point of view, it’s a little frustrating to see that, because the World Cup is in Australia, we can’t use the trial games,” Rush said.
“Whereas, had the World Cup been in England, he’d be free to play in round one. It feels a little unfair on both the player and the club that the location of the World Cup dictates how you can serve your suspension.
“[Crichton] got a one-game ban, but because the World Cup is in England, he was allowed to serve that one-game ban in a pre-season trial. Because this is being played in Australia, we can’t use pre-season games because the NRL rules don’t allow that.
“We should have a set of international rules. It’s just not fair.
“It’s not fair on the club, we release the players to play [Tests] and we want the players to play, but then we don’t have a standardised outcome for serving suspensions.”
Rush also pointed to the fact that Newcastle and New Zealand hooker Phoenix Crossland, who was suspended for four matches for a sickening hip-drop tackle that badly injured Penrith star Nathan Cleary in an NRL preliminary final, served his suspension both on grand final day and during the World Cup.
“He’s able to use the World Cup to serve his ban and play in round one for the Knights,” Rush said.
“So they are getting a benefit from the World Cup, and we’re being punished.
“When I say punished, I don’t mean that it’s unjust - what [Leniu] did was wrong. But Angus Crichton got a game and he was able to play.
“It’s frustrating. I’m not having a crack at anyone, it’s a consequence that nobody has looked at, where previously they have been able to serve it [during the pre-season] and now they are not. It’s not malicious or done to see players suffer, but it should have been looked at before, in my opinion.”
Rush’s stance comes as the Eels returned to training and the club took a light-hearted dig at the PNG Chiefs’ for being able to attract recruits with federal government tax-free dollars. Parramatta posted a clip on social media of its players running laps with the caption: “When we get exhausted at work and we want to give up, we remember who we do all this for.” The screen then reverts to a logo for the Australian Taxation Office.
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Glad Rush is using his voice and the media to get some traction on what he believes will help the club rather than keeping it all behind closed doors. All the powerful clubs are outspoken, we needed someone like this to make some waves.
Yeah have this feeling he wont be afraid to get out there and speak his mind. Even if it ruffles feathers.
Good on you Rush, calling it out. He hasn't even been in the country for 10 days and already speaking his mind and did so in a professional manner. Shows already the reason for an football minded CEO.
The Lomax situation last year was a sign of frustration where we finally snapped and stood up for ourselves. But we also toed the line and copped what was given. Rush seems like he will not stadn for it.
I endorse this message. Sic 'em, Mike.
#SaveSpencer
This is the key comment here below, and this is rubbish. Since when is the word 'interpreted' deemed as guilt? We should have fought this - this is utter BS from the NRL.
Leniu has accepted a two-game ban for making a money gesture, which was interpreted as questioning the integrity of the referees, after Adam Gee sin-binned him for dissent in Samoa’s semi-final loss to Australia. The four-time premiership-winning forward must serve the sanction in NRL matches, delaying his start for the Eels, including their round one match against the Titans in Las Vegas.