Wests Tigers have announced the signing of Joey Leilua until the end of the 2022 NRL season.
New signing Joseph Leilua is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the NRL and will take Wests Tigers to a new level, so says coach Michael Maguire.
After missing out on Latrell Mitchell, the Tigers on Monday confirmed picking up Leilua on a three-year deal beginning this season.
The announcement came just hours after revelations Canberra recruit Curtis Scott had been charged with two counts of assaulting a police officer on Australia Day.
Scott’s arrival at the Raiders resulted Leilua being squeezed out of the nation’s capital, allowing him to to unite with brother Luciano at Concord.
It is believed Scott’s off-field incident was never going to jeopardise Leilua’s move, given the contract was agreed to last week.
However the Tigers club were quick to hail the Samoan as a key to unlocking their attack this season.
“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.”
The Tigers had made no secret of their desire to sign the Kangaroos star once it appeared he had severed ties with the Sydney Roosters, offering him a lucrative deal.
Maguire had even visited Mitchell in his hometown of Taree on the mid-north coast of NSW in a bid to secure his services.
However he snubbed the merger club in favour of joining Maguire’s former outfit, South Sydney, on a cheaper, shorter contract.
Instead the Tigers have ended up with 28-year-old Leilua, who has twice been named Dally M centre of the year.
“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.”
Andrew Billy
Guest
Is he any more than a fringe first grader at the moment?
Rob
Guest
Can you imagine Renouf or O'Conner packing into a scrum. Meninga Okay. It does my head in. Who invented the backline packing into the scrum?
Fred
Guest
BJ's brother was signed too...
Andrew Billy
Guest
If you factor in the loss of Matterson, in picking up BJ you could argue it cancels out the loss of Matterson in attack. But that is about it. The net result for the Tigers is not better and it needs to be as 9th was probably over achieving last year..
mushi
Roar Guru
#3 was sarcasm I thought? Or have I given too much benefit of the doubt there.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! I think the real positive will be in having the Leilua brothers playing together, and not wanting to let each other down, which could bring out the best in both and really benefit the Tigers. I still can't get too excited about the Tigers chances until they get a decent spine.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
BJ was a fantastic player for the Raiders. His performances in 2016 were off the charts when he had that brilliant combination with Jordan Rapana on the right edge. He continued to be one of the Raiders most damaging players in the next few seasons - and should have played right centre for NSW - but his cards appeared to have been marked due to the odd brain explosion and lack of discipline which often resulted in frustrating penalties. The old rocks and diamonds is what you got out of Joey. But in 2019 we saw a different Joey. He was a lot more disciplined and seemed to be buying in to the new defence oriented Raiders game plan. Then his season was cruelled by that neck injury which could have been career ending. But BJ put in the hard yards and got himself back in to the team just before the finals which was an amazing effort. But not sure about this signing for the Tigers. He has spent little time preparing for the season by the look of it with a long lay off and his off season wedding. If he can get back to match fitness and his attitude is right he will be really damaging for the Tigers. And it will be interesting to see how he goes under Madge who is a real disciplinarian. Personally I'm really sad to see him go after what he brought to the Raiders. It was great watching him barge through 2 or 3 players to score or flick it out to Rapana. Won't be the same without BJ and Jordy.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think having his brother there might lift Joey a bit. Although I must say, the centre position on the field doesn’t seem to have the level of involvement expectations and impact it once did. We used to have some great centres like Meninga, Gasnier, Renouf, Cronin, Ella, Jackson, Coyne, O’Connor, etc. I guess because they don’t get the space anymore and are expected to pack into scrums.
Bigbill
Guest
I don’t see the drama about a player moving 6 weeks out from comp start, or the problem if media want to talk about next years contract while a player is signed this year. Most people change jobs sometime or other, you need to relax, it really is ok.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Considering Madges coaching style with the high discipline and no BS this is either going to be the best signing of the Tigers this year or an absolute disaster. If Leilua puts in the work that Madge requires of his players he will have an absolutely stunning year at the Tigs. If he rebels he will be playing reserve grade or sacked before mid-season. Hopefully being there with his brother will push him into choice number 1.
Col in Paradise
Guest
He is good but not great can be lazy and goes missing...
Paul
Roar Guru
Madge and the Tigers are quietly going about their business. I reckon they could surprise a few of the top sides this year. I'll bet there's one coaching smiling and another fuming after the events of the past 24 hours.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It's a big call to label him one of the most dangerous attacking players in the NRL. At his best he was hard to handle but I can't see him turning the Tigers attack around.
Jacks
Roar Guru
3 things 1. Bad timing for the Raiders with Curtis Scott getting in trouble, not sure what it means for them but its gone from a very strong back line with their being competition for spots to now being potentially being a bit thin. 2. Tigers actually got one! Though Leilua and Madge should be a fun mix. 3. Its like 6 weeks before the season starts or something like that and we are still having player movements! I mean that is idiotic and embarrassing for the code and the NRL has to do something!
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Right on cue, Curtis Scott is also in the news today. Perfect timing.