CABE NSW Under-20 coach Mark O’Meley has paid Penrith Panthers debutant Spencer Leniu the ultimate compliment after claiming he has the potential to be as good as Brisbane Broncos boom prop Payne Haas.
Leniu will debut for the Panthers against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Panthers Stadium on Friday night and will be hoping to kick off his career with a win to keep their premiership hopes alive after they slipped out of the top eight last round.
Haas has been in outstanding form for Brisbane this season, leading to his selection in the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues for Game One of the Holden State of Origin Series, but O’Meley said Leniu isn’t too far behind him having coached him in NSW’s Junior Pathways teams.
“Put it this way, when I’ve held the pads for the NSW under 18s and 20s the last two years, this kid’s the only one who’s knocked me over,” O’Meley told foxsports.com.au
“Spencer and Payne Haas have been the two outstanding kids over the last couple of years.
“He’s aggressive, he’s got a great motor, he’s outstanding.
“I text him when I heard he was making his debut to congratulate him and wish him all the best.”
