- Haumole Olakau’atu says he has been called ‘coconut’ countless times
- Spencer Leniu’s use of the word “monkey” has sparked debate
- Roosters star banned for eight games for insulting Ezra Mam
Men’s star Haumole Olakau’atu has revealed that he has been labeled a “coconut” on several occasions, as the soccer star launched a staunch defense of Spencer Leniu.
Leniu argued before the NRL judiciary that Pacific Islands players often use language that others may find offensive when defending themselves after labeling Ezra Mam a “monkey” in Las Vegas.
Olakau’atu, who also comes from the same region, echoed Leniu’s argument.
“From Spencer’s perspective, yes, we used it to joke and laugh,” Olakau’atu told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘But that’s all. It can’t be used for anything else, not even the emotions behind it. We’ve been called everything growing up.’
Leniu was banned for eight games for the insult, but Olakau’atu has argued that the sanction was too harsh.
Haumole Olakau’atu says he has been called a “coconut” on several occasions
The Manly star launched a staunch defense of Spencer Leniu on Tuesday.
‘Was the eight weeks too long? For me personally, too long. At the end of the day he apologized, right? He was accused. That is.’
Olakau’atu, like Leniu, also said he had no idea that the word “monkey” was offensive to indigenous people and also stated that he was not aware of the Adam Goodes case.
Former AFL star Goodes was called an “ape” by a Collingwood journalist more than a decade ago in an incident that shook Australia.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know who it is, I don’t know who Adam Goodes is, I’m sorry,” Olakau’atu said.
It is evident that we know something of the history of the aborigines of this land. For him (Leniu) to say that word, I personally didn’t think it was that important until that happened.
‘I can see where it’s coming from. They have called me everything in the field. For me they are just words. I’ve been called a boogeyman many times in the NRL.
‘That’s part of the game: the heat of the moment. At the end of the day, they don’t really mean it. For me they are just words.
‘They even called me coconut growing up at school. I got used. For me now they are just words.’
Leniu was banned for eight games for calling Ezra Mam a ‘monkey’
He added that he does not know Leniu well but that he believes the eight-week suspension was too long.
“I’ve said hello and goodbye a couple of times in my career,” Olakau’atu said.
‘He said what he said. She didn’t mean it. I believe him. Four (weeks) would have been more than enough because eight weeks, for me personally, is a long time.
‘This will affect his career when he returns. You never know what’s going on in his head right now.
‘I hope you receive this message. What he did to Ezra was wrong, but I support him. I hope he’s okay mentally.”
