Spencer Leniu will return to where it all began for him on Friday night when the Sydney Roosters travel to the foot of the mountains to take on Penrith.
The prop made his name in the NRL as an interchange forward who could change the course of the game with his momentum-altering carries off the back fence, during the Panthers’ golden premiership run.
Yet he sought new pastures in the off-season as he linked up with the Roosters in Bondi.
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Panthers wary of provoking Spencer Leniu on his return to Penrith
The move has paid off so far with the forward gradually emerging as a leader of the pack for Trent Robinson, while earning selection for New South Wales in their victorious State of Origin series.
The enforcer’s stellar campaign seeing him rewarded with a contract extension that he immediately signed after the club supported him through his racial abuse case against Ezra Mam.
"I’m sure he’ll be up for it," former teammate Jarome Luai said ahead of the qualifying final.
"It’s his first time back at home - back at Penrith Park.
"You know what he brings and the energy that he brings, so we’ll definitely have to match that. It’s a big battle ahead."
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Leniu outlined how a major reason for his move to the Chooks was to establish himself as a starter in the front row after previously being stuck behind James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota.
In his last six games, he has been handed a starting berth five times and has formed a strong combination with Lindsay Collins in the continued suspension-enforced absence of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
The club legend has already announced his departure at the end of the year in order to try his hand in the Super League with Hull KR, which has only further strengthened Leniu’s position in the pack.
"You know what he’s about and it’s important to match the intensity that he brings," Luai said.
However, the usually mouthy playmaker admitted he was keen to avoid sparking a confrontation with the forward if he could, in order to not get the best out of his fellow Samoan international.
"If there’s anyone that you don’t want to chirp, it’s Spencer," Luai laughed.
"Hopefully, that brotherhood and connection, if I do get in that mindset, will help me along the way."
