Joseph Leilua

Early years

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Leilua is of Samoan descent. Leilua played his junior rugby league 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. In 2009, he played for the Australian Schoolboys team.

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. 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. In the Roosters 2010 NRL Grand Final match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Leilua played on the wing in the 32-8 loss. Leilua finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 17 matches and scoring 3 tries. He was also selected in the New Zealand training squad for the 2010 Four Nations but did not make the final squad.

2011

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

2012

In January 2012, Leilua was named in the New South Wales Emerging Blues squad, pledging his alliegence to Australia. On 22 April 2012, he re-signed with the Roosters on a 2-year contract. Leilua was described as "one of the best on field" NSW City in the annual City vs Country Origin match, playing centre in the 24-22 win at Mudgee. In Game 1 of the 2012 State of Origin series, Leilua was named 19th man for the New South Wales team. He finished the season with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 6 tries. At the end of the year, Leilua was again named in the New South Wales Emerging Blues squad.

In October, Leilua was arrested after being accused of breaching an AVO, spitting on his ex-girlfriend, and distributing lewd photos of her. He was released on $6000 bail. He was then placed on a one-year good behaviour bond after being found guilty of sending nude photos of his former girlfriend to her brother and a friend.

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

2013

On 5 March 2013, Leilua officially signed a 2-year contract with the Knights starting in the same year. 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. 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. Leilua finished his first season with the Newcastle Knights with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 13 tries. He was selected to represent Samoa in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, held in England and Wales. 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. 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. 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. 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. Leilua finished the season with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 11 tries . On 7 October 2014, Leilua was selected in the Samoa final 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series. Leilua played in all 3 matches and scored a try in the tournament.

2015

In the pre-season, Leilua was reportedly on the outer with new Knights coach Rick Stone, after he returned to training overweight and was rumoured to have had a run-in with the senior Newcastle player Beau Scott about his attitude and fitness. On 2 May, he played for Samoa against Tonga in the 2015 Polynesian Cup, playing at centre in Samoa's 18-16 win at Cbus Super Stadium. On 14 May, he executed a clause in his contract, releasing him from the final year of his Knights contract, making him a free agent for 2016. On 15 June, he was granted a release from his 2015 contract mid-season, allowing him to join his new team effective immediately. On 17 June, he joined the Canberra Raiders mid-season for the rest of the year. He made his Raiders debut in Round 16 against the New Zealand Warriors, in the Raiders' 30-8 loss at Mount Smart Stadium. He finished off 2015, having played in 19 games, 13 for the Knights and 6 for the Raiders, and scoring 6 tries, all for the Knights. On 13 November, he re-signed with the Raiders on a 3-year contract.

2016

In Round 8 against the Wests Tigers, Leilua scored his first two tries for the Raiders in their 60-6 win at Canberra Stadium. During the season, Leilua and his wing partner Jordan Rapana became one of the most destructive duos of year, scoring and setting up some fantastic tries and their strong friendship outside the footy field labelling them as “Leipana”. In Round 26 against the Wests Tigers, Leilua produced the pass of the season by scooping up a loose ball and was able to get an arm free in a tackle with Tigers winger Josh Addo-Carr on him to flick the ball behind his back to Jordan Rapana who finished off to score to the try in the 52-10 win at Leichhardt Oval. On 26 September 2016, Leilua was named the Australia 2016 Four Nations train-on squad but later dropped out due to a hamstring injury. On 28 September 2016, Leilua was named as the Centre of the Year at the 2016 Dally M Awards night, a significant uprise from being in the lows of falling out of favour at the Newcastle Knights at the start of 2015 NRL season. Leilua finished his solid 2016 NRL season with him playing in 25 matches and scoring 11 tries for the Raiders.

2017

In Round 6 against the Gold Coast Titans, Leilua played his 150th NRL career match and scored a try in the 42-16 win at Robina Stadium. On 7 June 2017, Leilua extended his contract with the Raiders to the end of the 2020 season.