By JOEL GOULD

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has praised his players and the courage of Ezra Mam after an alleged racial slur by Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu.

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has spoken of his pride in Ezra Mam and the players for their response to an alleged racial slur by Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu.

The Broncos arrived back in Brisbane on Tuesday after their 20-10 opening-round loss in Las Vegas.

Leniu has been hit with a contrary conduct charge, with the NRL referring him straight to the judiciary amid a claim he called Brisbane’s No.6 Mam a “monkey”.

The Roosters recruit denied the allegation when placed on report on field by referee Adam Gee, and could be heard to respond “Why would I say that?”

Mam told referee Gee “he called me a monkey” and a Broncos player could be heard confirming it.

After the match players exchanged words as they passed each other at the Hilton at Resorts World hotel.

Witnesses told AAP there was no threat of a physical altercation, and Leniu was ushered down the corridor by club staff as words were exchanged. The teams were sharing the same floor at the hotel.

Walters said the players had shown great support for proud Torres Strait Islander Mam, who he praised for standing up for himself.

Ezra Mam looks on during Brisbane’s NRL match against the Roosters in Las Vegas. (AP PHOTO)

“That is part of being a Bronco,” Walters said.

“All clubs support their peers and their mates when they are under pressure and have an incident happen that is just not tolerable. We are a tight group at the Broncos and we support each other in every way.

“(Racial slurs) are not tolerated anymore in life or in the community. Rugby league is part of the community. Ezra has every right to be upset and stand up for himself as an Indigenous player.

“The NRL now are dealing with it and we are dealing with it in-house with our player Ezra. We are getting around him. He is OK but it was a tough night for him post-game. There is a lot of support around him.”

Walters would not be drawn on what penalty Leniu should receive if found guilty.

“It is the NRL’s policy now to deal with what has happened,” he said.

“We respect everything the NRL are doing and will leave it in their hands to make a good decision on the outcome.”

Walters said Mam would “definitely” play in round two against South Sydney on March 14.

“That is still a week and a half away but the club will support him and get around him every way that we need to in order that he can play Thursday week,” Walters said.