Ten years after making his NRL debut, will Joey Leilua fully realise his potential at the Wests Tigers?
Club fans will certainly be hoping that’s the case after the 28 year old outside back inked a three year deal with the club that plays three of their regular season games here at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Tigers head coach Michael Maguire is someone who believes Leilua’s best is yet to come.
“I’m extremely pleased to welcome Joseph to Wests Tigers and start working with him,” Maguire said.
“He is without doubt one of the most dangerous attacking players in
the competition and will take this team’s potency to a new level going
forward.
“To secure a player of his class and talent for the season ahead is a huge
boost for the club and one that will lift this team right across the park.
“I’m extremely confident that the best is also still to come for Joseph,” Maguire
said.
“He brings a wealth of on-field experience to our team, and we’re extremely excited to watch him play in Wests Tigers colours for many years to come.”
The three-year deal will see the Samoan international join Wests Tigers effective immediately from the start of the 2020 season through to at least the end of the 2022 season.
He will be playing alongside his brother Luciano, a ball playing forward who has also just arrived at Concord.
Leilua joins Wests Tigers with an impressive try-scoring rate of 89 tries in 204 games.
Born in Sydney, Leilua made his first grade debut for the Sydney Roosters back in 2010, quickly establishing himself as a regular in the side and earning a spot in the 2010 grand final side.
His attacking potency would see him soon catch the eye of representative coaches with selection in the 2010 New Zealand train-on squad and 2012 Emerging Blues, before eventually making his representative debut for City Origin.
After 59 games for the Roosters, the Hurstville United junior headed north and the Newcastle Knights in 2013. He scored 30 tries in 54 games for the Knights while also making his international debut for Samoa at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
Leilua would take his form to the next level in 2015 following a mid-year switch to the Canberra Raiders as he twice earned selection in the Dally M Team of the Year and helped the Raiders to their first grand final appearance in 25 years.
