Ezra Mam of the Broncos Photo: PAT HOELSCHER
Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu has been charged by the NRL for alleged racial abuse of Brisbane Broncos rival Ezra Mam, according to reports out of Australia.
News Corp is reporting the NRL's match review committee has levelled a contrary conduct charge against Leniu, who has been accused of calling Mam a "monkey" during the NRL season opener in Las Vegas.
The NRL opted against a grading, meaning Leniu will have a judicial hearing where the Broncos will reportedly have players who heard the slur and are prepared to testify against Leniu.
Leniu was replaced on report in the 70th minute of his side's 20-10 win after Mam made a "formal complaint" about an alleged racial comment.
Referee Adam Gee said he did not hear it, and it would be dealt with after the game.
. Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
Leniu, who was born in New Zealand and represented Samoa at the last World Cup, tried to dismiss the incident as "nothing" after the game.
"It's all just fun and games on the field and that's it," he told radio station Triple M.
"[I'm] not worried at all."
Mam is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent.
A Roosters teammate of Leniu reportedly secretly apologised to Mam. It is understood Mam accepted the apology, although he remains deeply upset by Leniu's alleged slur, reports say.
The fallout from the alleged slur continued when the teams, that were both staying on the same floor at Hilton Resorts World in Las Vegas, had a verbal altercation in the hallway the morning after the game.
Former Warriors player Reece Walsh reposted a photo of Mam in traditional Torres Strait Islander dress on his Instagram stories, writing: "Got you always my brother."