Luciano Leilua quits Wests Tigers immediately to join NRL rival

[Rebuilding Phase]

Luciano Leilua quits Wests Tigers immediately to join NRL rival


Barnstorming Wests Tigers backrower Luciano Leilua has quit the club immediately to join an NRL rival.

Leilua will head to North Queensland, having already signed a three-year deal to join the Cowboys for season 2023.

"We wish Luciano the very best with his future," Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said.


"He and his family have made a lot of friends here at the Wests Tigers and they will be missed."

Luciano Leilua (left) of the West Tigers. (Getty)
Leilua, 26, has played 99 NRL games since debuting for the Dragons in 2016.

He joined the Tigers in 2020 and has been one of the club's best players in recent seasons.

He also represented Samoa in 2019 and will be available to lace up for them again at this year's World Cup.

While he is a star at the Tigers, Leilua will be fighting to get a spot in a Cowboys side that is flying in third spot on the NRL ladder, in the midst of a resurgence not many people saw coming.

A serious knee injury to young backrower Heilum Luki in round 14 opens the door for a spot in the team, which can be filled by Leilua in the hunt for a premiership.

Luciano is the younger brother of former NRL firebrand Joey Leilua.

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2...-cowboys/342cb771-54b7-47ca-a063-5d36a22fc5e2

 

[D0GMATIC]

Like his brother, He is a pea brain, with a pea heart

 

[billy beane]

Like his brother, He is a pea brain, with a pea heart

And lots of talent.

 

[liljohny]

Kick in the guts for tigs.

Fingers crossed they get their shit sorted and we both head up the ladder together...even better at the expense of Roosters and South's going to the shit house

 

[Bulldogs09]

Kick in the guts for tigs.

Fingers crossed they get their shit sorted and we both head up the ladder together...even better at the expense of Roosters and South's going to the shit house

Yep but hopefully this weekend we further kick them in the guts and get a much needed win for us doggies!!!

 

[ddt192]

Fuckin oath Luciano! Go play semi final football with the Cowboys and never look back.

 

[JUNKYARD DOGS]

This is big for the Cowboys.
Tigers things just keep going backwards.

 

[Baby Blues]

It’s a strange move to allow him to move now when they rejected it earlier this season. So instead Leilua plays half assed until the Tigers decide there’s no point keeping him. Interesting to see if Tuilagi gets a release to Manly too

 

[D0GMATIC]

And lots of talent.

Talent gets a player noticed, but commitment and hard work makes a great player

 

[Dognacious]

And lots of talent.

When he decides to use it. Not consistent at all

 

[Bulldogsteve]

Like his brother, He is a pea brain, with a pea heart

he was a cancer in the joint, they had to let him go

 

[D0GMATIC]

he was a cancer in the joint, they had to let him go

They should have negotiated his exit better though, like the storm or Panthers would do. They could have made the next club compensate them.

 

[Bulldogsteve]

They should have negotiated his exit better though, like the storm or Panthers would do. They could have made the next club compensate them.

he left on his own accord so they are saving money in their cap, maybe there was no one they wanted from the cows that was available to them

 

[billy beane]

When he decides to use it. Not consistent at all

True.

 

[Malla]

Surely cowboys have to be regretting signing this fat fuck

 

[D0GMATIC]

he left on his own accord so they are saving money in their cap, maybe there was no one they wanted from the cows that was available to them

You can't leave when contracted, you have to granted a release. They could have made him play reserve grade. They should have made his destination club foot some of the bill

 

[Bulldogsteve]

You can't leave when contracted, you have to granted a release. They could have made him play reserve grade. They should have made his destination club foot some of the bill

He asked for a release and it was granted so tigers pay nothing going forward
Cows picked up his current deal

 

[CrittaMagic69]

He asked for a release and it was granted so tigers pay nothing going forward
Cows picked up his current deal

Cowboys haven't done anything, Payten said they hadn't even written up a contract for him.

 

[dogluva]

This is why I and a lot of other people are becoming disenchanted with the game.

If a player wants out from a club for any reason just don't turn up to play at 100% each game. Agitate for a release and then the club will let you go as a free agent with no cost to themselves because these days most clubs are tight with the cap and need all players to be invested in their team.

Maybe fans should just not follow their teams in the traditional manner where they have a favourite player or expect some form of loyalty between player and club.

 

[John Matrix]

How can we convince players we don't want to leave too, it would solve alot of our problems.