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Second Bronco tells club officials he heard ‘monkey’ slur
Travis Meyn, Robert Craddock and Peter Badel
Broncos hooker Billy Walters is willing to testify at the NRL judiciary if called upon as a witness in the Las Vegas racism hearing.
Walters’ teammate, Payne Haas, could also become a key witness for Brisbane after telling club officials he overheard Roosters forward Spencer Leniu call Broncos whiz Ezra Mam a “monkey’’ in the season-opening clash in Las Vegas.
Walters confirmed to this masthead that he was one of the players in the vicinity of Leniu when the alleged slur was made, which, alongside Haas could be crucial at the disciplinary hearing now that a of the word being spoken. The NRL’s prosecution will rely on witness accounts.
Leniu will appear at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday after being charged with contrary conduct in the 69th minute of the heated round 1 clash.
Mam, 21, made a formal on-field complaint to referee Adam Gee and may be required to appear at the judiciary to give his version of events.
But the Indigenous sensation may not be alone, with Brisbane teammate Walters declaring he would front up if required.
Walters said he was reluctant to speak in-depth about the incident to ensure he didn’t prejudice the hearing, but confirmed he was willing to testify.
“I don’t want to get into it too much. We’ve been told not to speak too much because we want the NRL to deal with it properly and not influence it,” he said.
“But if I’m called upon by the NRL I’ll definitely tell my version of events.
“We’ve got Ezra’s back no matter what happens.”
With a split first round over two weekends due to the United States double-header, the Leniu judiciary hearing won’t be held until next week following the completion of round 1 fixtures.
A former senior Cricket Australia official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it was the lack of audio evidence that enabled Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh to have a three match ban scrapped on appeal after he allegedly called Andrew Symonds a “monkey’’ at the SCG in 2008.
The Brisbane Broncos have arrived back in the River City after their exploits in the US and the season opener in Las Vegas.
“Had Harbhajan been caught on audio it would have been a different outcome but Channel Nine had a reporter go through the tapes for a day looking for evidence and they could not find anything,’’ the source said.
“Harbhajan was initially banned by match referee Mike Procter but the bans were scrapped on appeal because a New Zealand judge said there was not enough evidence.
“The lack of audio evidence was decisive because it then became a matter of “he said, she said.’’
Despite the fact Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Matt Hayden said they heard Harbhajan say the word “monkey’’ the judge ruled this evidence was insufficient for a conviction.
“The match referee was happy to make a conviction on the players’ word. The judge wasn’t. It can go either way but Mam’s witnesses who say they heard the word now become more important given there is no audio. This could be the Symonds case all over.’’
The fact that Harbhajan got off his bans on appeal infuriated the players and Symonds himself who was never the same player or person after the incident.
The one key factor yet to be resolved is whether Leniu will deny making the claim or confess to saying it.
When interviewed after the game he admitted to being involved in “fun and games’’ but distanced himself from allegations of racism
Travis Meyn, Robert Craddock and Peter Badel
Broncos hooker Billy Walters is willing to testify at the NRL judiciary if called upon as a witness in the Las Vegas racism hearing.
Walters’ teammate, Payne Haas, could also become a key witness for Brisbane after telling club officials he overheard Roosters forward Spencer Leniu call Broncos whiz Ezra Mam a “monkey’’ in the season-opening clash in Las Vegas.
Walters confirmed to this masthead that he was one of the players in the vicinity of Leniu when the alleged slur was made, which, alongside Haas could be crucial at the disciplinary hearing now that a of the word being spoken. The NRL’s prosecution will rely on witness accounts.
Leniu will appear at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday after being charged with contrary conduct in the 69th minute of the heated round 1 clash.
Mam, 21, made a formal on-field complaint to referee Adam Gee and may be required to appear at the judiciary to give his version of events.
But the Indigenous sensation may not be alone, with Brisbane teammate Walters declaring he would front up if required.
Walters said he was reluctant to speak in-depth about the incident to ensure he didn’t prejudice the hearing, but confirmed he was willing to testify.
“I don’t want to get into it too much. We’ve been told not to speak too much because we want the NRL to deal with it properly and not influence it,” he said.
“But if I’m called upon by the NRL I’ll definitely tell my version of events.
“We’ve got Ezra’s back no matter what happens.”
With a split first round over two weekends due to the United States double-header, the Leniu judiciary hearing won’t be held until next week following the completion of round 1 fixtures.
A former senior Cricket Australia official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it was the lack of audio evidence that enabled Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh to have a three match ban scrapped on appeal after he allegedly called Andrew Symonds a “monkey’’ at the SCG in 2008.
The Brisbane Broncos have arrived back in the River City after their exploits in the US and the season opener in Las Vegas.
“Had Harbhajan been caught on audio it would have been a different outcome but Channel Nine had a reporter go through the tapes for a day looking for evidence and they could not find anything,’’ the source said.
“Harbhajan was initially banned by match referee Mike Procter but the bans were scrapped on appeal because a New Zealand judge said there was not enough evidence.
“The lack of audio evidence was decisive because it then became a matter of “he said, she said.’’
Despite the fact Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and Matt Hayden said they heard Harbhajan say the word “monkey’’ the judge ruled this evidence was insufficient for a conviction.
“The match referee was happy to make a conviction on the players’ word. The judge wasn’t. It can go either way but Mam’s witnesses who say they heard the word now become more important given there is no audio. This could be the Symonds case all over.’’
The fact that Harbhajan got off his bans on appeal infuriated the players and Symonds himself who was never the same player or person after the incident.
The one key factor yet to be resolved is whether Leniu will deny making the claim or confess to saying it.
When interviewed after the game he admitted to being involved in “fun and games’’ but distanced himself from allegations of racism
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