NRL 2020: Joey Leilua, Wests Tigers, Canberra Raiders

Author: Dan Walsh NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp: Mon 27 Jan 2020, 12:46 PM

Wests Tigers have landed their long-awaited backline X-factor with Raiders centre Joey Leilua signing a three-year deal to join Michael Maguire's team.

Wests Tigers announced the signing on Monday, with the 28-year-old expected to launch into training at Concord this week.

With 204 NRL games and 89 tries to his name, Leilua offers serious strike power out wide for the Tigers.

Canberra gave the Samoan international permission to explore his options beyond 2020 late last year, but were happy to keep Leilua on deck this season.

The Tigers three-year deal however offered greater security for Leilua, who will play alongside younger brother Luciano for the first time at club level.

"As a club, we're delighted to have secured a talented player such as Joseph," said Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe.

"He is a player who is of the highest calibre and has already proven to be a remarkable contributor on and off the field to his club and country.

"This commitment from Joseph is a fantastic indication of the belief in the direction this club is heading in and the strength of Wests Tigers as an organisation overall."

Maguire said he was keen to start working with Leilua, describing him as "one of the most dangerous attacking players in the competition".

"To secure a player of his class and talent for the season ahead is a huge boost for the club and one that will lift this team right across the park," Maguire said.

"I'm extremely confident that the best is also still to come for Joseph. He brings a wealth of on-field experience to our team, and we're extremely excited to watch him play in Wests Tigers colours for many years to come."

View this post on Instagram

Today I have made a decision for what’s best for myself and my little family , I would like to thank the raiders organisation for the last 3 years and a half, you’ve given a young man a chance to showcase his talent onto the paddock an for that i am so grateful for. To all the raiders fans thank you for the support an love throughout those years. I’m definitely going miss the Viking clap and running out to that 😢 To brothers that I have made since my time there , We’ve had some ups and downs but always stuck strong and got through it together. The memories I’ve made and the bond that I have with yous will never be forgotten. 😘 To west tigers , I can’t wait to get up there and start training, meet my new teammates and being apart of a team that has so much history behind it. For me , it’s a blessing in disguise that I get to play along side my lil brother and to make more memories up there. Thank you again , Raider #330 is out n The eye of the tiger is coming 🐅 #theyshoudnthave

A post shared by Joey Leilua (@joeyleilua) on Jan 26, 2020 at 8:24pm PST

NRL.com understands the Tigers still have sufficient salary cap space to chase South Sydney's Adam Doueihi, with negotiations around a multi-year deal ongoing.

The Rabbitohs are willing to release Doueihi to pursue a regular first-grade spot elsewhere.

The Tigers are pushing for South Sydney to chip in further to Doueihi's 2020 salary, but the Rabbitohs are holding firm given they do not need to offload any players to be salary cap compliant this year.

The Tigers had hoped to lure NSW under-20 prop Stefano Utoikamanu from Parramatta a year earlier after signing him to a lucrative contract for 2021 onwards but the Eels announced on Saturday that he had been upgraded to their 30-man squad.