Kevin Walters lost his patience over repeated questions about Ezra Mam and Spencer Leniu

Broncos coach Kevin Walters lost patience with reporters who peppered him with questions about Spencer Leniu’s eight-match ban for calling Brisbane star Ezra Mam “a monkey” during their game in Las Vegas.

Walters was keen to leave Monday’s judiciary hearing in the past and move on, but he couldn’t avoid being asked about it a day out from his side’s crucial clash with the Rabbitohs.

“I won’t make any comment on that. I’ll leave that to the NRL and the powers to be,” he said.

But the questions kept coming, with Walters again saying he didn’t want to comment on the situation which prompted Mam to present a 12-paragraph statement to the judiciary panel explaining the emotional toll the past week has had on him and his family.

“We put it to bed at the end of last week when it was handed over to the NRL. Our focus over the past three or four days has been on the game, which is really important to us as a club,” Walters said.

“We’ve got to get our focus in the right direction rather than looking around and looking too far ahead.

“Ezra has been fine. He has been good. He is ready to go.”

“I won’t make any comment on that. I’ll leave that to the NRL and the powers to be,” he said.

But the questions kept coming, with Walters again saying he didn’t want to comment on the situation which prompted Mam to present a 12-paragraph statement to the judiciary panel explaining the emotional toll the past week has had on him and his family.

“We put it to bed at the end of last week when it was handed over to the NRL. Our focus over the past three or four days has been on the game, which is really important to us as a club,” Walters said.

“We’ve got to get our focus in the right direction rather than looking around and looking too far ahead.

“Ezra has been fine. He has been good. He is ready to go.”

Thursday’s clash will pit Adam Reynolds against the team he won a premiership with in 2014, with the Broncos halfback and South Sydney counterpart Lachlan Ilias unable to escape the narrative of what might have been had the Bunnies not released the veteran when he wanted to stay.

Ilias has had his critics over the past 12 months, while Reynolds has been outstanding for Brisbane but was below his best in last year’s grand final.

“We’ve got a lot of faith and confidence in Reyno,” Walters said.

“Playing against your old club is always a big occasion for everybody, and Reyno is no different.

“I’m sure he’ll be right to go and lead the side the way only Adam can lead.

“I don’t think the end of last year has impacted him. For Adam it’s about playing his best football. How he does that is he passes well, kicks well and defends well. It’s pretty simple for him.”