Luciano Leilua’s days with the North Queensland Cowboys appear numbered after the back-rower’s management requested permission to speak with rival NRL clubs.
St George Illawarra, where Leilua played 43 games across four seasons, are believed to be one of those interested in the services of the three-cap Samoan international.
Leilua’s manager, Mario Tartak, confirmed to AAP he had initiated contact with the Cowboys to allow the forward to return to Sydney with immediate effect.
The 27-year-old is contracted with the Cowboys until the end of 2025 after leaving Wests Tigers for Townsville midway through the 2022 campaign.
The forward has endured an eventful time with North Queensland and was last week fined and banned from driving for a month following a low-range drink driving offence.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Leilua also faced domestic violence charges in 2022 which were later dropped by NSW Police.
While Leilua’s exit so late in the pre-season may be viewed as a disruption, it allows the Cowboys to set about retaining promising back-rowers Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki.
Finefeuiaki enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2023 but comes off contract at the end of this season, while Luki has an option in his favour for the 2025 season.
Prop Braden Hamlin-Uele says he is contemplating his future at Cronulla. Off contract at the end of this year, the Kiwi forward is weighing up a return to New Zealand with the Warriors after leaving home to pursue an NRL career as a teenager.
The Warriors view Hamlin-Uele as a replacement for Sharks-bound Addin Fonua-Blake and are rumoured to have offered the 29-year-old more than $700,000 a year.
But also on the forward’s mind is Cronulla has been home to him for the past six years, with his young family growing up in the area.
“Hopefully (it’s done) ASAP,” Hamlin-Uele said on Tuesday. “I’m in regular contact with my manager to see what the go is. That’s his side of the business, I’m just here to run the ball and tackle.
“If it comes to it, it’d be devastating to leave (Cronulla). But it would also be exciting to see what’s on the other side.”
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Latest I've heard is Dragons & Raiders interested but Luch wants $900K and they think it's too high. Hearsay only.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Yeah fair call. At least they didn't get him
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Schuster ?
3 R M
Roar Rookie
Luki signed his extension before looch's signing was announced but Nanai was yet to extend. I thought it could cost us one or both in the long run. I consider Kuli a power forward though Jimmmy. I'm yet to get a gauge on Larhs but Luki seems the one to really prioritise.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Is it a done deal folks? Our Guru Nat pointed out that Luc's current club is listed as St. George on his Wiki page. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luciano_Leilua But I can't find anything from either club. I assume his manager maintains the Wiki entry?
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Yep, I'm going with Eels on that one, longest premiership drought going.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Time is about to tell on that one.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
They knew about Fonua-Blake too Gordon.
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Bernie he was last seen disappearing over the horizon with his best pal Big Paulie, king of the Weber.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I never liked it . Especially at the price. What were we thinking. ? Anyway it looks like we are real show to keep those two boys now , although I hear the Do.phins are circling around Finefuiaki. If If we can keep em we are really building a team. One more quality prop and a half back and I will start dreaming.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
I don't think he would care what other clubs do with their contracted players.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
He was a such a questionable signing Jimmmy and I always thought it would cost us one of the 2 true strike second rowers we developed.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
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jimmmy
Roar Rookie
This story made me so happy Nat. I was really worried how we would keep Luki and Finefuiaki. Now I know.!!!
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Hopefully Flanno will be going to get him for around $450 Cows cover the rest and in addition owed a favor by Tartak next time he has someone of higher quality he's shopping.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
How's Flanno's form. Ben Hunt, contracted Dragons till 2025, wants a release, told NO, get F@@ked. Tartak phones Dragons - Hay Flanno, Its Mario, Leilua wants to break his contract can you help?
langparker
Roar Rookie
Advice to cowboys, lock Mario Tartak in a room at the clubhouse & don’t let him out until the release papers for Leilua are signed, notarised and lodged with the NRL. Aside from Luki and Finefeufiaki you’ve got Griffin Neame & Coen Hess to extend. Leilua has always been one brain explosion away from disaster given the money he’s on, the quantum of which was always debatable. St George are welcome to roll the dice, they’re far more in desperate need of experienced nrl forwards. Just lock in a book of uber ride-share vouchers as part of his contract.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Advice to cowboys, lock Mario Tartak in a room at the clubhouse & don’t let him out until the release papers for Leilua are signed, notarised and lodged with the NRL. Aside from Luki and Finefeufiaki you’ve got Griffin Neame & Coen Hess to extend. Leilua has always been one brain explosion away from disaster given the money he’s on, the quantum of which was always debatable. St George are welcome to roll the dice, they’re far more in desperate need of experienced nrl forwards. Just lock in a book of uber ride-share vouchers as part of his contract.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
you forgot the biggest non-sensical of all Lizzie - letting go the King of Fullbacks, the Excitement Machine, the one and only The Duftstar.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
at least he has his thriving boxing career to concentrate on .....