THE Wests Tigers are considering reuniting the Leilua brothers, with Luciano declaring it’s a “100 per cent option” for older brother Joey to join him at Concord this year.
The Tigers had floated the prospect of signing Joey before Christmas but those discussions are back on the table.
Luciano looms as an obvious drawcard for the Tigers after settling into the club seamlessly having joined from St George Illawarra in the off-season.
Joey Leilua could be on the move. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Joey Leilua could be on the move. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
Watch the 2020 NRL Nines tournament LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
“We spoke about it the other day,” Luciano said. “He didn’t know much about it until his manager spoke to him. They are trying to see their options and they will go from there.
“It’s an option, 100 per cent. He was in the same position as I was (at the Dragons). It’ll be good to get another veteran in here. It would be good and exciting for the club.”
The move makes sense for the Raiders and the Tigers. Leilua is in the final year of his $600,000 contract with the Raiders and is unlikely to be retained. Canberra signed Melbourne’s Curtis Scott in the off-season to bolster an already star-studded backline.
Joey Leilua and brother Luciano Leilua played together for Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup 9s. Picture: Brett Costello.
Joey Leilua and brother Luciano Leilua played together for Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup 9s. Picture: Brett Costello.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP AND START PICKING YOUR TEAM FOR 2020
The Tigers are also on the lookout for a marquee outside back. They missed out on Latrell Mitchell and have been linked to a host of other players including Adam Doueihi and Josh Addo-Carr.
FROM OUR PARTNERS
News you can trust. Watch Ticky Fullerton 11am Sundays, Sky News. For more
The sticking point of the deal will be how much Joey Leilua, 28, expects in 2021 and beyond.
“I’ve sold the club to him,” Leilua said. “I’ve told him we are building a new culture here as a club we want to go in a different direction and build onto what we as a club want. That’s important. I told him the opportunities here if you want to come here. The club will give you its full support.
“I told him if you want to come back to Sydney, come back to Sydney — you’ve been away for a bit. I told him he will love the club and the environment.”
New Wests Tigers recruit Luciano Leilua pictured at Concord Oval. Picture: Toby Zerna
New Wests Tigers recruit Luciano Leilua pictured at Concord Oval. Picture: Toby Zerna
MORE NEWS
SuperCoach NRL: Players set to bounce back in 2020
Farewell to the man who yelled ‘Beaver’
How Latrell saga will keep Wighton at Raiders
The signing of Leilua would also allow Moses Mbye to shift to hooker to cover for the uncertainty surrounding Josh Reynolds. Playing for Samoa at the end-of-year World Nines was the first time the pair had taken the field at the same time — they’ve never faced off in an NRL match.
“It would be a good opportunity for us to play each other,” Leilua said. “It was good to pick his brain and how he goes into a game and for him to see how I go into a game.”
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...n/news-story/2ad568b7cbe49a4622dad6790113568c