Video taking off 5.4x its usual first day

Paul Kent backs Leniu's call for fairer Pacific Test pay

The FanaticsTV excerpt links Samoa and Tonga's drawing power to player payments, with viewers debating who should foot the bill.

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FanaticsTV Story of November 11, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 122,325 views a day, 5.4 times a normal first day on this channel (22,864).

🇼🇸🇹🇴 Filling stadiums but are they getting their fair share?

"Good on him. I think he was spot on." Paul Kent has no hesitation when asked about Spencer Leniu's criticism of international rugby league pay.

In the Kenty Blitz excerpt, Kent argues that Samoa and Tonga bring commercial value that their players' payments do not reflect. Citing Leniu's complaint, he puts Pacific players' Test pay at around $800, compared with roughly $30,000 for Australians. Those are the amounts Kent gives in the discussion, rather than a breakdown of how each nation's payments are funded.

His argument is about the turnstiles as much as fairness. Kent says Samoa-Tonga fixtures draw crowds, and contends that the teams could fill stadiums overseas too. With international organisers looking towards destinations including Utah and Hawaii, he argues that the Pacific nations' appeal deserves greater recognition.

The Short has drawn nearly 118,000 views in 22 hours, well ahead of FanaticsTV's usual opening audience. Comments are also arriving at more than five times the channel's usual first-day total. Viewers bring up the Samoa-Tonga game, call for fairer payments and debate whether responsibility lies with national governing bodies or international organisers.

Kent's backing is specific, not unconditional. Another excerpt from the same day's programme is titled "Kenty says Spencer Leniu crossed the line with his referee gesture". He separates his criticism of Leniu's conduct from his agreement with the player's pay argument.

Published on Trari

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What viewers say

The tonga vs Samoa game was amazing. Pay them more fairly
@peacefullyKO46XSee it on YouTube
Finally a player said it
@TendosizzSee it on YouTube
I often argue with Kenty's version of events.
Not this time. He is correct.
@andrewwright6898See it on YouTube

2 more comments

Good on yah Spencer💯
@hakianderson5904See it on YouTube
Thank you for a rare support from an Australian commentator / Journalist.
Facts 💯
@i_tearespect8190See it on YouTube

Public comments from the video's page on YouTube