Luciano Leilua will be rushed straight back into the Dragonsā side for his first match in new colours as coach Shane Flanagan prepares to unleash the clubās biggest recruit of its new era.
Despite confounding early season predictions with a
thumping win over the Titans in Flanaganās first match in charge, the premiership-winning coach wonāt waste any time in bringing Leilua into the fold after he served a one-match ban for a
drink driving offence.
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The 27-year-old hasnāt played an NRL match since September, but joined St George Illawarra last month after the Cowboys agreed to grant the Samoan international an early release from his deal in Townsville.
The NRL initially proposed Leilua serve a two-match ban for a low-range drink-driving charge after fronting a Townsville court earlier this year. Leilua did not notify North Queensland of the offence.
But the Dragons had the suspension halved on appeal, paving the way for Leilua to start his second stint at the club in a round-two clash against Wayne Bennettās Dolphins.
He will then face the Cowboys the following week as the Dragons begin the season with three matches against Queensland sides.
Luciano Leilua will be rushed back into the Dragons side.CREDIT:STUFF (NZ)
Leiluaās return will be a welcome headache for Flanagan, who used Bulldogs recruit Ray Faitala-Mariner on an edge in their comprehensive win over Des Haslerās Gold Coast.
Hame Sele (hamstring) and Blake Lawrie (ribs) will be monitored throughout the week as Flanagan hopes to continue the Dragonsā positive start to the season.
āItās my first ever round one win,ā Faitala-Mariner said. āIāve noticed the boys are a tight group. Having Benny Hunt there and him taking Kyle Flanagan under his wing [has helped]. I thought Sloany [Tyrell Sloan] was good at the back.
āOnce those boys have clarity in what theyāre doing, weāre just filling in our roles and staying in our lane.ā