Leniu sent to sin bin during Samoa’s World Cup semi-final against Australia
Commentator Shaun Johnson said the Samoa forward directed a remark at referee Adam Gee after Bradman Best scored Australia’s fifth try.
Samoa forward Spencer Leniu was sin-binned shortly before the half-time break against Australia in their Rugby League World Cup semi-final. Commentator Shaun Johnson said Leniu had gone towards referee Adam Gee and said something to him.
The incident followed a try by Bradman Best in the 36th minute, Australia’s fifth. Cameron Munster was preparing for the conversion when Leniu showed his displeasure. Gee had already warned the captains about their sides’ conduct, with Australia leading by four tries and Samoa denied a try following a review.
Jarome Luai followed Gee to continue the discussion while Leniu departed. Before the break, Stephen Crichton spoke to his Samoa teammates and Junior Paulo also had a discussion with the referee.
A further brief confrontation between players followed early in the second half. After coming back on, Leniu lost possession with a knock-on. The match paired the finalists from the 2022 tournament, when Australia beat Samoa 30-10.
