Samoa have set off for the Rugby League World Cup, but several key stars have been left behind – including Cowboys forward Luciano Leilua, who was arrested yesterday on domestic violence charges.
Leilua’s lawyer told the Sydney Morning Herald that he chose not to board the plane in order to fight the charges next week and clear his name.
“I can confirm that Mr Leilua denies any wrongdoing and will be defending these matters vehemently,” said Elias Tabchouri.
“Mr Leilua has never been charged with any matters of violence in the past and is upset by the allegations that have been made against him, as he is opposed to violence of any type. It is not in his nature. Mr Leilua has the support of his family.”
“Mr Leilua voluntarily chose not to fly out with his teammates as scheduled to allow these matters to be addressed. He is, however, very keen to represent his country as he sees it as the pinnacle of his sport.”
Police were called to a Harrington Park address in southwestern Sydney yesterday and arrested a 26-year-old man on DV charges, later revealed to be Leilua.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
He is due to face court on October 11, which would leave him with a swift turnaround to get to the World Cup in time for Samoa’s first game on October 19 against England.
His club, the North Queensland Cowboys, released a statement they said they were aware of an alleged incident regarding which has resulted in police charges and would assist the NRL Integrity Unit.
The NRL has a no-fault stand-down policy regarding incidents that would lead to over 11 years in jail, and while Leilua’s charges are not in that category, he could still be subject to the policy as it has discretionary aspects concerning domestic violence.
As yet, it is not clear the extent to which the NRL’s policy applies to the Rugby League World Cup, though suspensions are generally honoured across tournaments.
Other Samoa players who did not immediately travel were those who were involved in Sunday’s NRL Grand Final, including the bulk of the Penrith Panthers backline who were at the club’s celebratory fan day and will travel later in the week.
Wane insists England can win despite injuries
England coach Shaun Wane is insistent that his side can lift the trophy on home soil despite losing their star halfback Jonny Lomax and strike centre Mark Percival to injury on the eve of the tournament.
The pair played in St Helens’ Grand Final win over Leeds Rhinos but were subsequently withdrawn with injury. Lomax was revealed to have been playing with a ruptured bicep and Percival, who missed the bulk of the year with a knee injury, was left out to allow him to recover further.
Wane said that the final call on Lomax lay with St Helens and the player himself. “It’s Saints’ medical staff and Jonny where he thinks he’s at,” he said.
“I trust him. I believe him in what he’s saying: he couldn’t do another eight, nine weeks and if he says that I’m never going to try and persuade a player.”
“I need our players who have been picked to understand what those guys would give to play in this tournament and how lucky they are to be in the.
“I’ve got four players there who are devastated that they’re not in; it could be Jonny’s last World Cup and he can’t play in it. It’s really sad but just one of those things.”Shortcode
Wales name Brisbane brothers
Wales have named their squad for the tournament, and while it will contain no NRL talent, it does have the unusual quirk of including three sets of brothers.
The Evans brothers – Rhys and Ben – were born in Bridgend, have been around for years and passed through several systems, while the Davies brothers, Curtis and Connor, play on either side of Cumbria’s Marra divide, with the former at Whitehaven and the latter at Workington.
The standouts, however, are the Olds, Ollie and James. The both turn out for one of the most storied names in rugby league, the famous Valley Diehards club from the Brisbane comp that produced legendary Queensland players such as Wally Lewis, Vic Armbruster and, more recently, Ali Brigginshaw.
The Olds brothers will be among the few at the tournament from the Brisbane Rugby League, now a third tier comp behind the NRL and Q Cup in the hierarchy.
For all the best analysis of the tournament, check out out Rugby League World Cup podcast, World Cup Chasers, featuring two of our experts, Mike Meehall Wood and Mary Konstantopoulous, as well as Michael Carbone from Chasing Kangaroos, the leading podcast covering international footy.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Is that all you wanted to say ?
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Luai is of American Samoan heritage if that makes recent events a bit clearer for everyone.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It works better if you read posts before commenting on them - "If proven, he surely can’t play the game again though."
Tony
Roar Guru
Too young
mushi
Roar Guru
Because its a far easier pathway for immigration to the USA and the culture (including sports) is US centric vs british commonwealth. Where as previous generations of Samoans had an easier pathway through NZ into Aus.
Footy Fan in SG
Guest
I’d doubt the immediate heritage of league players in Aus is American Samoan, for obvious reasons. Why?
Footy Fan in SG
Guest
Runway 34 L at Sydney Airport...if you live to the right of it, East. If you live to the left of it, West. The red rooster line tracks a very similar plot on Sydney maps too.
Footy Fan in SG
Guest
I think you'll find he's a shoe in for the Dragons now...
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
"If proven..."
ALL ABOUT BALLS
Roar Rookie
MUD STICKS.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree Rob, it is happening too many times now when people are guilty before they have a chance to defend themselves.
Rob
Guest
I do think the media like a story. I personally don’t like jumping to conclusion around off field stuff. There’s always things involved that people aren’t privy too. Considering Luciano’s no trouble record I’d be careful not to make a a guilty call before the facts are known. As a Cowboys fan I don’t understand why you would hanging around the Sydney crowd now?
Panthers
Guest
I’m just glad at this time, that he doesn’t play for or come from Penrith.
mushi
Roar Guru
"I’m intrigued – are any of the “samoan” players actually have relatives from American Samoa – as against the old Western Samoa now Samoa – this has occurred before where the eligibility rules are really lax." Are you able to clarify what you mean here? Do you mean their heritage is actually American Samoan rather than Samoa/western Samoa? As just having relatives seems unimportant unless you want an AS team. I'd doubt the immediate heritage of league players in Aus is American Samoan, for obvious reasons.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It has happened in OZ also and not just NZ ozinsa, also in England and I would be surprised if it occurred in other Countries also.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
A player gets injured for St Helen’s in the GF and says that he cannot play in an eight week tournament, and the National coach says that he only wants players that want to play. What player would want to miss out on a WC intentionally? As for RL the player is defending himself so until an outcome comes to being the media needs to lay off and stop making out that he is already guilty before the facts come out. We have seen in the past that some sports players have been proving not guilty, so let’s what unfolds before judging someone.
Tony
Roar Guru
Of course he's guilty. He plays NRL :happy:
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
I'm intrigued - are any of the "samoan" players actually have relatives from American Samoa - as against the old Western Samoa now Samoa - this has occurred before where the eligibility rules are really lax. BTW the rise of the Islanders means England and France fall further down the list of RL nations - is this a good thing? Even RU has relaxed its international eligibility so islander players can go back to their "natural home" after a long layoff. but playing for Australia RL one year and then changing back and forth to a PI for kids born in Mt Druitt say does nothing for the credibility. BTW Leulia allegations are just allegations...
Enter the Dragoon
Guest
I didn't realise he had been convicted ?
Enter the Dragoon
Guest
Let's hope you aren't the magistrate, as you appear to have convicted him already .