Real or Not: There is absolutely no place for racism in sport

The 2024 NRL season is underway with a spectacular event in Las Vegas, followed by a return to earth for the rest of the opening round. For the first Real or Not Real of the year we take a look at the very serious topic of racism, the success or otherwise of the trip to Las Vegas and the Canberra Raiders without Jack Wighton.

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Read on as we tackle some of the big talking points in this week’s NRL Real or Not.

There is no such thing as ‘fun and games’ when it comes to racism

REAL: It was just a joke, harden up, what happens on the field should stay on the field, sticks and stones etc, etc. No, just no. This is 2024 and racism is not acceptable in any form or under any circumstance. If you try to pass it off in any way, that is a clear indication that you just don’t understand the basic principles we have come to accept as part of existing in a modern and civilised society.

Roosters prop Spencer Leniu, by all accounts, acted completely out of character when he called Ezra Mam a “monkey” in the heat of battle in Las Vegas. In a statement released by the Roosters, Leniu has apologised, whilst insisting that racism was never behind his words.

“I want to apologise to Ezra and his family for using the word I did and I am sincerely sorry to cause him such distress,” Leniu said.

“I’ve put my hand up and want to take ownership of this. I said the word but I didn’t mean it in a racist way. Anyone who knows me knows that’s not who I am.”

Spencer Leniu (right) becomes involved in a scuffle with Broncos players after calling Ezra Mam a “monkey”. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The problem for Leniu is that the most important person involved, Ezra Mam, took it as a racist attack, as would most fair-minded observers. Now Leniu is about to learn that he needs to control his uncharacteristic outbursts and choose his words more carefully, because the NRL judiciary is about to make an example of him when they hand down a hefty punishment next week.

Not only was what he said unacceptable, he said it at the very moment that the NRL were showcasing their product to the world. Instead of celebrating two excellent games of rugby league, we were left shaking our heads at the mentality of one of the players and the stain by association that the entire NRL is left to clean up. Leniu very publicly embarrassed the league and he will have a long time on the sidelines to think about it.

Las Vegas was the greatest thing to ever happen to the NRL

NOT REAL: We are pumping the brakes a little on the Las Vegas hype, but only from the perspective of an expansion into the massive U.S. sports market. Going on the U.S. television ratings, which were well below the numbers hoped for, that ultimate goal is going to be a very slow burn. There remains plenty of doubt around how much of an impact this double-header actually had on the locals. The crowd of just over 40,000 was acceptable, but the many empty seats in the stadium were emblematic of the many televisions across the nation that were tuned into something else.

Fans gather for the NRL season launch at Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Where the NRL’s Las Vegas venture really succeeded, and holds a lot of promise for the future, is as a group getaway party event, much like rugby’s Hong Kong Sevens was back when it was at its peak. The NRL needs to name the four teams to be involved next year as soon as possible so the fans can start planning and saving for the trip. After seeing what a spectacular event the first one was, the real growth will initially come from travelling Australians who want to share the experience.

The only problem is, without the growth in U.S. audience, the cost involved in booking the stadium and flying four teams over to play there becomes prohibitive. The 40,000 crowd, made up of however many Australian tourists, simply won’t cover the costs, unless ticket prices are sent through the roof.

So, the NRL has a year to work on the Stateside marketing and messaging. They need to sell it as a party event, so that locals will have another reason to turn up. They need to educate any and every American who wants to talk about the game, that it is not “rugby” it is a totally different and imminently more exciting and relatable product.

Canberra Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange puts his shoulder into stopping Knights forward Tyson Frizell. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Raiders will be just fine without Jack Wighton

REAL: Canberra Raiders have lost Jack Wighton to the Rabbitohs this season. Wighton, a state and international class player, had been the Raiders’ best for a number of years and will no doubt be missed. But, no player remains forever and every club has contingency plans and junior development systems aimed at producing the next stars of the game.

Against the Knights in Newcastle on Thursday night, Ethan Strange was playing just his second first grade game, after a glittering junior representative career. He has the size, step and speed to be a handful for any defence. He has a good passing game, was happy to take dummy-half runs out of trouble and looked busy in defence.

He did fall for some Tyson Gamble deception as Tyson Frizell cut through for his first half try and he lost the ball under pressure from Dane Gagai just before halftime with the Raiders on the attack. Is Strange currently as good as Wighton? Clearly not, but Wighton was himself once a 19-year-old finding his feet in first grade.

The Knights, who had won nine of their past 10 season openers at home, were a formidable opponent. The last time these two teams met in Newcastle the Knights ended the Raiders season in week one of the 2023 finals. With both teams looking short of a good run, the Raiders were able to collect the two points. Strange played his part in the victory and will only get better as the year progresses.

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