Panthers enforcer Spencer Leniu has emergency surgery after suffering a ruptured testicle in a horrific accident – and tried to train again the day after
- Spencer Leniu tore a testicle during Panthers practice
- The 22-year-old underwent surgery – and attempted to train the next day
- Leniu is desperate to make his NSW Origin debut this year
NSW Origin hopeful Spencer Leniu is desperate to make his debut for the Blues in the upcoming series – so much so that this week he attempted to return to training the day after tearing a testicle.
The stubborn Samoan international, 22, suffered the eye-popping injury during a counter-session with the Panthers and was rushed to hospital for surgery.
The club has since confirmed that Leniu will not play against the Roosters on Friday night.
“Panthers supporter Spencer Leniu has been ruled out following a serious injury during a training session on Wednesday evening,” the club statement said.
The incident led to Leniu suffering a ruptured testicle, requiring surgery at Nepean Hospital.
NSW Origin hopeful Spencer Leniu is so desperate to make his debut for the Blues this year that he tried to return to training 24 hours after tearing a testicle
Brad Fittler will name his NSW Blues Origin squad for game one on May 21 – and if fit, Leniu would compete for a spot on the bench
“The representative prop is recovering well at home, with a return date yet to be determined.”
With NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler naming his Origin squad on May 21, Leniu has one more game to potentially impress, against the Broncos next Thursday.
The first rower must also be cleared by Penrith’s medical staff.
Obviously, Leniu is considering wearing protective gear, as was Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden, who suffered the same injury last season.
“He’s a tough kid,” North Queensland coach Todd Payten said of Dearden at the time.
“It was a remarkable effort to finish the game, and the way he played, wow.
“He was our best player there is.”
Leniu (pictured tackled against the Warriors last Saturday) has been in great form for the Panthers this season
Last season on Anzac Day, former Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita also tore a testicle in eye-popping scenes
On Anzac Day last season, former Warriors playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita revealed that playing with a ruptured testicle in a match against the Melbourne Storm was the “worst pain he’s ever experienced” and that the injury was “so painful he couldn’t even could talk’. ‘
‘Worst [pain] I’ve had it by far,” he said. “I’m lucky that I had teammates around me who talked to me, because I couldn’t really talk.
“I was sure something was wrong at the end of the game.
“The doctor took me straight to the ultrasound and the whole thing was bruised — I was in pain.”