Broncos coach Kevin Walters has supported his players for the way they leapt to defence of teammate Ezra Mam in an explosive hotel incident with Roosters forward Spencer Leniu in Las Vegas.
Leniu is alleged to have directed a racist remark at Mam during the Roosters 20-10 win against the Broncos.
After the game, Broncos stars Kotoni Staggs and Patrick Carrigan have been reported to have stuck up for their teammate in a hotel lobby when Leniu took umbrage with Mam making a complaint to referee Adam Gee.
Speaking at Brisbane airport after arriving from the US, Walters said Staggs and Carrigan’s actions are “part of being a Bronco”.
“All clubs are like that. They support their peers and mates when they’re under pressure. They’ve had an incident happen that’s just not tolerable,” Walters said.
“We’re a tight group here at the Broncos and we support each other in every way.
“Just speaking with our players, it’s great they supported Ezra in the way they did.”
The Broncos coach said Mam had a “tough night” but is okay now.
“It’s just not tolerated anymore anywhere in the community and rugby league is part of the community,” Walters said.
“Ezra has every right to be upset and stand up for himself as an indigenous player.
“It’s not something you can plan for, it just happens.
“I won’t go into the punishments of it all. We’ve done what we need to do as a club, now it’s handballed on to the NRL.
“We respect everything the NRL is doing and will leave it in their hands to make a good decision on the outcome.”
Leniu is expected to face the NRL judiciary in the coming days to learn his fate.
If found guilty, the Roosters prop is likely to be given a punishment ranging to six-eight weeks on the sideline.
