Johnathan Thurston says 'the game has failed' after Leniu's suspension | Wide World of Sports

Johnathan Thurston has given his thoughts on the NRL's ruling on Spencer Leniu's racial remarks against Brisbane Bronco's player Ezra Mam during their first round match in Las Vegas.
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[@h1tz09]

So Ezra can get away with calling Spencer a coconut ? Bro Ezra can’t complain if he’s using a racist term as well the game didn’t fail, you failed to call out Ezra for what he did too 💀💀

[@jeremygziji9186]

Alex Mckinnon got a fractured neck ( quadriplegic ) and Mclean got 7 weeks for it ... 1 word and 8 weeks is not enough ... JT STFU

[@ya_m0th3r7]

One was intentional trying to hurt another player you silly boomer

[@Amaterasau_]

@@ya_m0th3r7 to hurt a players feelings 💀

[@ya_m0th3r7]

@@Amaterasau_ yap yap boomer

[@adambudden2533]

​@@Amaterasau_ as an indigenous man I find it ridiculous, who cares what someone calls you. If words hurt you your a weak minded Disney Princess. I'm sure Ezra called him something before that incident

[@fairbsy7639]

​@@ya_m0th3r7Did you learn a new word & can't figure out how to use it 🤦‍♂️

[@Pvtepingpong]

JT is a legend of the game and an incredible player. He caused me years of pain as an NSW supporter through my teens. But he's effectively saying that Spencer Leniu should have received 5 weeks more punishment for calling someone a name compared to the tackle that put Alex Mckinnon in a wheelchair and ended his career, and six weeks more than Latrell Mitchell's face smasher on Joey Manu This woke stuff is mindblowing and needs to stop

[@stealthpakfa]

Racial insults are far worse than any football injury. And no, there is nothing ‘woke’ about cracking down on racism.

[@user-wv8co7bk2g]

What about joey manu king hitting Tass from behind joey manu is a dog shot merhent

[@Jo_240]

Ezra needs to hang out with real men and not men who plug thier eye brows

[@wayneevans8286]

Says the bloke who along with Willie mason done some disgusting horrible things to a young woman in Coffs Harbour back in the day. He who hath not sinned it, whoosh now, people remember what u did

[@floodwaters8887]

I don't think Thurston actually put it in her though, he just stuck up for the players that did.

[@Cam-ju7nd]

Mason wasn’t even one of the accused you absolute muppet. Talking out of your ass.

[@wayneevans8286]

Let us hope you don’t have daughters sisters or a mum

[@mazilys]

​@@selfawarepotassiumagreed so why does JT do it? To stay relevant

[@crazziislyy255]

Hahjsahahaha😊

[@maori_brotha]

Good on you JT. People who don't know, never know. Stamp out the BS! Play the game!

[@685_Era]

Get over it ya muppets

[@carokann4397]

Shutup thurston, latrell got 6 weeks for breaking manus jaw

[@Patrick-sc6nm]

that has nothing to do with this , ya weirdo

[@kc214]

Two brown guys talking crap and you call one a racist..? Yeah i don't think thats how rasicm works ae

[@xpsylentzer_8039]

@@Patrick-sc6nmyeah exactly Latrell breaking Joeys Cheekbone was worse

[@Akzwhomatter7]

Yeah and latrell should’ve gotten more time.

[@stealthpakfa]

Racial insults are far worse crime than football injuries.

[@RayCarroll67]

It appears Mental Toughness is no longer a requirement in Sport or Life. It seems victimhood, attention seeking, and virtue signalling are the admirable qualities to have in Modern Day Society. I hope the Broncos took Ezra out to a Day Spa for some much-needed pampering to help him through this traumatic time and JT was there too, to give a consoling and supportive back rub.

[@Jo_240]

EZRA needs to hang out with real men, not men who plug thier eye brows

[@chrisrae1554]

seriously.... you would think they are five years old...get over it ..grow up and stop the rubbish

[@Jo_240]

they're men living in kids bodies

[@bennanthony3224]

Why is it Leniu says what he did and gets vilified, yet Sam Kerr says what she did and gets praised?

[@selfawarepotassium]

The NRL judiciary doesn’t decide what happens to Sam Kerr.

[@mazilys]

Hopefully Kerr gets time

[@selfawarepotassium]

@@mazilys so presumably you think Leniu should go to prison too?

[@bennanthony3224]

@@selfawarepotassium I was referring to public and media reactions!

[@mazilys]

​@@selfawarepotassiumno. Unless he says it in the UK

[@Warriorspremiers2024]

Let’s be honest Ezra was trying to get a penalty. Then cried because they lost. He’s no leader or is standing up for himself all he did is cry and complain

[@andymartinez767]

Blah Blah Blah. Such rubbish

[@vinsanityrugby]

What if Spencer didn’t know it was a derogatory term?? Maybe he thought it was all banter on the field, I don’t know

[@MattCroker-wh6zb]

He’s an idiot

[@tevitawolfgram]

Exactly, that's how we talk in the hood! I guess all hoods are different. Some hoods are sensitive and some are real hard!!!

[@kagolekuisi]

@@tevitawolfgramSpencers not in the hood, he was on the rugby field overseas playing pro rugby league..

[@tevitawolfgram]

@@kagolekuisi exactly, so why did Ezra mam think he was entitled to call Spencer a derogatory/ racial slur on the field first!!! It's been reported on nrl 360 and the daily telegraph!! Them the facts!!! Ezra not taking ownership of what he said is a dog act!!! What a Rat!!!! Respect to Spencer he didn't snitch on Ezra on the field!

[@stealthpakfa]

Ignorance is not a defense.

[@mazilys]

Both players are supposed non caucasian. This racist stuff needs to stop. Its not doing them any good

[@BASKET449]

Racism doesn't do anyone any good pal regardless of who is saying it.

[@BASKET449]

Oh so only the whites can be racist to non whites. Oh my goodness just when you thought it couldnt get any dumber 🤦

[@MRRANDOMZ11]

What happened to the era sticks and stones will break my bones but nanes will never hurt me

[@Plugitinbby]

A slogan used by an era that took black kids away from their parents. Love your work champ.

[@Barry_Matthews]

It was used when I was a kid and that was well after kids had stopped being taken

[@auzziguy449]

@@Plugitinbby many were for their own safety and other mothers gave up their own for a better shot at life, fact. White kids were also taken off their parents, capiche. The child abuse statistics we see today would not of been tolerated once upon a time.

[@stealthpakfa]

Name calling is just as bad.

[@BASKET449]

Looks like your still stuck in the era 🤣🤣

[@beepbeep6861]

First people are sick of this BS.

[@44wish]

Fight for Life !! MAIN EVENT * Ezra Mam vs Spencer Leniu

[@yaccfonoti]

Man these celebrities live in la la land. Read the comments and get a dose of reality

[@stealthpakfa]

Racism will not be accepted in modern society. End of.

[@johnsmith-ub7vr]

These guys bash one another senseless for 80 minutes yet they can't handle someone calling them a name? Give me a break, this woke bs is way out of control.

[@selfawarepotassium]

Not being racist isn’t woke buddy.

[@kagolekuisi]

@@johnsmith-ub7vr Whether you agree or not (I'm guessing you don't) the name being called is a racial slur

[@selfawarepotassium]

@@johnsmith-ub7vr no it’s not. People dont even know what woke means anymore.

[@zaksol7022]

What a load of tripe JT

[@GimaiKaupa]

8 week it's to long..

[@BASKET449]

Hell no that's light as especially when your trying to eliminate racism on all levels.

[@user-oc1ew6qm8c]

My view on Thurston has taken a huge blow over the last few years and it started in 2020 and this incident just proves my skepticism

[@porourangi10]

Wasn’t even racial in intent

[@shame8191]

At least the positive thing is he has now been educated out of this incident.

[@BASKET449]

Stop playing dumb please. Only reason he says it wasn't racial was cause he got called out. Your comment is getting pretty lame by now.

[@stealthpakfa]

Actually it was racially based insult to hurt the player. Absolutely there was intent.

[@BASKET449]

@@shame8191 even worse that he needed to be educated about it when it's a no brainer that the slur has well entrenched racial undertones to it. Not to know that in the manner Lenui used it is a real cop out, he knows (pretty poor hes not man enough to own that he said it in a racial context to hurt & played if off like hood talk 🙄). Hell everyone knows that word is a race based insult to reference a person of colour as inferior, non human and lesser of a person based on race/racial appearance. There is a million other word choices & references he could of used for sporting banter but he consciously chose a racial slur to hurt as banter. He gets what he deserves, he actually got of pretty lightly but I guess if you play dumb as a Lenui did that helps you get off lighter 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@aloha_oe311]

@@shame8191Hope Ezra can get educated about it too. 😁

[@jasonappleby1746]

How long for a "your Mum" joke?

[@SuperHolden74]

That Stupid Ref could have Delt with it on the Field ( All the Ref had to say Was Grow Up Your Both Adults get back to your side and Play on ) But No the Child had to Keep Saying he called a Name . Seriously There was No Racial Intent . It was a Word that Was Taken out of Context . Racial is So Over Used now It's become a Joke Adults Acting Like 5 year olds

[@Warriorspremiers2024]

Indigenous aren’t the only oppressed people. Playing victim card

[@712Menzies]

This is like when a toddler falls over and starts crying. If you carry on saying “poor baby” it will trigger the child to cry even more.

[@Rko11148]

The toughest sentence for a racial slur in nrl history and he still doesn’t think it’s enough… what’s the difference between 8 and 12 weeks honestly? It’s already the biggest punishment for a racial slur it’s seen, if he got 12 weeks JT would of been sooking wanting 16.

[@briancoldwell98]

Exactly

[@vk88864]

I’m sure he’s learnt his lesson. A brother should not be calling a brother a racial slur. Erase Racism.

[@zoef234]

8 weeks , 12 weeks , what’s the difference ??? Really???

[@manuhamoa]

yes if it was 12 weeks he would have said should be 16 weeks, Lol

[@275STB]

Funny you named everything the NRL have done for the indigenous players & community but when your players refuse to stand and sing the national anthem it’s ok 🤫 double standard & playing the victim, NRL education 😂.

[@Abc1231x1]

All these woke nrl players 😂 the game is so soft 😂

[@ajm82]

Great job JT

[@mazilys]

JT is annoying without this BS. He should stick to his knitting or at least take it up

[@tjt6999]

Cmon Thurston im a fan, but you people make it sound like Spencer beat Ezra up that would deserve 12 week ban, but even 8 week ban for what. Should've called him a cry baby instead he probably complain about that too

[@user-wv8co7bk2g]

450 aboriginal people killed on custody last year lets talk about the genocide in Australia 🇦🇺 not name calling

[@katielimason8438]

The word was bad to say but it seem like because they were losing the game try to get him sent off or wat

[@user-jh8dc2yb3y]

Once were warriors.

[@silassensauro8712]

Totally support JT's perspective.

[@Piero-ke5eq]

Because you are on the racist side

[@Thatoneroostersfan]

well if I’m Spencer I’m saying shut up JT I’m back 😂

[@20080451]

Definitely Fine or 1 week max

[@MrKirky1970]

haha thurston have a look in own back yard brother you are no better then what you done at the dogs

[@ahsamgagaeolo5616]

He should play netball

[@user-vl7le6bm7d]

Nobody is perfect in this world, especially these negative comments,Act like men, not like commentators...Side show Bob's..

[@crestcutter2729]

JT is the NRL's Adam Goodes just a rich cry baby

[@user-vl7le6bm7d]

You wouldn't unstanding what indigenous people go through in this country because your not black

[@user-xn4rb4ns4u]

Thurston is offended on behalf of someone else?2023 GF Panthers players were called coconuts ! That stayed on the field where it belonged JT how many weeks should Sam Kerr get?

[@user-lm2wz5qf5o]

Australia has gone.

[@MacOne53]

NRL has over reacted.

[@Roronoa_Zoro_Official]

Thurston ya sook

[@Jo_240]

LOL 100%

[@SRATB2024]

ARE YOU F**KING KIDDING ME?!?!?!! THIS IS WHY THE ROOSTERS WILL NEVER PLAY LIKE THE PANTHERS IN 2021/2022/2023!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Hayden-Gizzy-Nz]

Isnt thurston part maori by his father never herd him stand up for us in maori we go through same thing

[@user-vv9yn3vc3f]

Shut up cuz 😂

[@mazilys]

Yes he is but admitting that he is that doesn't fit the narrative. It's called selective racism.

[@selfawarepotassium]

Nice colonial talking point there my guy.

[@mazilys]

@@selfawarepotassium Aboriginals colonised Australia first. The Greeks, Mesopotamians, Romans, Egyptians, french, Spanish, Chinese, Germans, Danish, Scots etc all colonizers

[@selfawarepotassium]

@@mazilys🤦

[@legaci2164]

Thurston I’m still a fan of yours, but 8 weeks is more than enough here mate

[@krisparry5968]

Meanwhile his mobs children are getting SA

[@KamaGaaukaukau]

Explain Sam Kerr situation then assh.....e?

[@Jimz_Zeez]

He’s legit /lack what the hell

[@89UsoWillZ]

These guys taking the joke to History 👀😅 that's a bit much 💀💀💀

[@user-iq6zh4tx3b]

Billy Walter's is the biggest nark ezma just wont to play the game as you can see in the video

[@mrt..6946]

Stop crying..

[@novesituipulotu6894]

😂😂😂

[@shayandaryan]

🐵

[@TheAllthegoodstuff]

Is anyone else concerned that the constant reference to this slanderous word by the media will lead to it being used a lot more? This video at least doesnt promote it. You dont hear Americans saying "Hes facing a lengthy ban for calling so and so a Ni...r". I cant help but feel the powers to be are using this for this division. Much love to all Strayans from all walks of life. 🙏❤🖤💛💙❤🤍

[@ZazaIMmortal007]

Some sad times. Probably best to keep the bantering between the rest of the pacific islands. Aboriginals can have their own chat room 😂😂😂 and trust me they still have the same issue 😂😂😂

[@BASKET449]

Good idea keep your racial banter on your own island perfect solution 🤣

[@TheFlamesLegend]

Fair suspension. Sends a strong message. Longer would be overkill… but what do I know?

[@mazilys]

8 weeks fair enough

[@stealthpakfa]

Should be automatic 12 weeks and $100,000 fine for any racial insults. NRL need to come down hard on racism.