Joseph Leilua

Joseph Leilua

Leilua playing for the Knights in 2013.
Personal information
Full name	Joseph Ikenasio Poiva Leilua Kelemete[1]
Nickname	BJ, Joey
Born	(1991-12-12) 12 December 1991 Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia
Height	186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	111 kg (17 st 7 lb)
Playing information
Position	Centre, Wing
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2010–12	Sydney Roosters	59	20	0	0	80
2013–	Newcastle Knights	49	27	0	0	108
	Total	108	47	0	0	188
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2012	NSW City	1	0	0	0	0
2013–14	Samoa	7	2	0	0	8
Source: [2]

Joseph "Joey" "BJ" Leilua (born 12 December 1991) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League. Leilua primarily plays at centre. Leilua is a Samoan international.

Playing career

Born in Arncliffe, New South Wales, Leilua is of Samoan descent. Leilua played his junior football for Hurtsville United before being signed by the St. George Illawarra Dragons. In 2010, Leilua joined the Sydney Roosters. Leilua played for the Roosters' NYC team in 2010, scoring 3 tries in 4 games.^[3] In 2009, Leilua played for the Australian Schoolboys team.^[4]

Playing career

2010

In Round 12 of the 2010 NRL season, Leilua made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Gold Coast Titans off the interchange bench in the Roosters 30-16 win at Cbus Super Stadium.^[5][6] In Round 19 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Leilua scored his first and second NRL career tries in the Roosters 36-32 win at ANZ Stadium.^[7] In the Roosters 2010 NRL Grand Final match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Leilua played on the wing in the 32-8 loss.^[8] Leilua finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 17 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Sydney Roosters in the 2010 NRL season. Leilua was also selected in the New Zealand training squad for the 2010 Four Nations but did not make the final squad.^[9]

Leilua playing for the Roosters in 2011.

2011

Leilua finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 11 tires for the Roosters.

2012

In January 2012, Leilua was named in the New South Wales Emerging Blues squad, pledging his alliegence to Australia.^[10] On 22 April 2012, Leilua re-signed with the Roosters on a 2-year contract.^[11] In 2012, Leilua was selected for NSW City in the annual City vs Country Origin match at centre in the 24-22 win at Mudgee.^[12] In Game 1 of the 2012 State of Origin series, Leilua was named 19th man for the New South Wales team to play Queensland.^[13] Leilua finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 6 tries for the Roosters. On 15 December 2012, Leilua was named in the 2013 New South Wales Emerging Blues squad.^[14]

On 18 December 2012, Leilua was released from his Roosters contract due to disciplinary reasons.^[15] On 22 December 2012, Leilua joined the Newcastle Knights.^[16]

2013

On 5 March 2013, Leilua officially signed a 2-year contract with the Knights starting in the same year.^[17] In Round 6 of the 2013 NRL season, Leilua made his club debut for the Newcastle Knights against the Penrith Panthers at centre in the Knights 8-6 win at Hunter Stadium.^[18] After playing a few more weeks playing in the Knights New South Wales Cup team, Leilua cemented his centre position after regular centre Timana Tahu was dropped to the New South Wales Cup for the rest of the season. Leilua return to the Knights first grade squad in Round 10 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, scoring his first club try for the Knights in the 44-8 win at Hunter Stadium.^[19] Leilua finished his first season with the Newcastle Knights with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 13 tries in the 2013 NRL season. Leilua was selected to represent Samoa in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, held in England and Wales.^[20] Leilua made his international debut for Samoa against New Zealand at centre, scoring a try in Samoa's 42-24 loss at Halliwell Jones Stadium.^[21] Leilua played in all 4 matches and scored a try in the tournament.

2014

In February 2014, Leilua was selected in the Knights inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.^[22] On 22 April 2014, Leilua re-signed with the Knights for a further two years, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2016 season.^[23][24] In Round 26 against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Leilua played his 100th NRL career match, scoring a try in the Knights 40-10 win at Hunter Stadium.^[25] Leilua finished the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 11 tries for the Newcastle Knights. On 7 October 2014, Leilua was selected in the Samoa final 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.^[26] Leilua played in all 3 matches and scored a try in the tournament.

References

External links

• 2015 Newcastle Knights profile