Sport Confidential: Alex Leapai Jr weighs up NRL future with Roosters against boxing career

A teen monster from Queensland is facing a huge call on his sporting future. Full details in SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.

Corey Parker and Josh Aloiai.

He is Queensland’s 120kg teenage monster who is embroiled in a tug-of-war between boxing and NRL glamour club Sydney Roosters.

Alex Leapai Jnr — the son of former world-title challenger Alex ‘Lionheart’ Leapai Snr — is fast approaching the sporting crossroads as he weighs up a career in the NRL or boxing, the sport his father dominated.

Leapai Snr was one of Australia’s most decorated heavyweight boxers, famously fighting for four world-title belts in 2014 against Ukraine legend Wladimir Klitschko, who won by TKO in Germany.

Now the son of Lionheart is ready to roar in his own right. At just 16, Leapai Jnr is already 193cm and 120kg and has been snapped up by the Sydney Roosters, who believe the Samoan powerhouse can develop into a monstrous front-row weapon.

But such is his talent, Leapai Jnr must soon decide whether to train alongside Roosters NRL stars James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Joseph Suaalii, or follow his old man into the fight game.

Alex Leapai Jnr is embroiled in a tug-of-war between boxing and the Roosters.

Leapai Jnr underlined his boxing ability last year when he fought Jermaine Pangai, the younger brother of NRL star Tevita, and claimed victory with a points decision.

His coach at Mabel Park High School Lee Addison, who formerly mentored Broncos back-rower TC Robati, believes Leapai Jnr can be “anything” in rugby league.

“A lot of clubs were after my son’s signature,” Leapai Snr said.

“I thought the Roosters were the right fit. After talking to a few people involved with the Roosters and meeting with the club, we agreed to sign.

“Alex is very focused in the gym and he is committed to boxing as well.

“But he really enjoys league as well – there’s nothing stopping him from taking this opportunity at the Roosters with both hands.”

Football talent runs in the family -– Leapai Snr is a cousin to Queensland Origin hardman Josh Papalii.

NRL’S NEWEST FEUD: PARKER HITS BACK IN UGLY STOUSH

Rugby league has an explosive new feud – Manly prop Josh Aloiai and Broncos legend Corey Parker.

One of Manly’s seven players who refused to wear the gay-pride jersey, Aloiai has slammed Parker as an “idiot” for criticising the ‘Rainbow Rebels’ who plunged the Sea Eagles into crisis with their stance on cultural grounds.

But Fox Sports commentator Parker has hit back at Aloiai, accusing him of being a hypocrite following revelations the Manly forward’s sister is gay.

“It’s crazy the way the media has blown this out of proportion,” Aloiai told Channel 9 on the gay-pride fiasco.

“For example ... Corey Parker, he said don’t pick and choose, he hammered us in the media, (saying) ‘You run out with your gambling sponsored jerseys’.

“I would love for him (Parker) to show me in the bible where it mentions gambling.

“It doesn’t, nor does it forbid alcohol in itself. He’s an idiot.”

Broncos great Corey Parker has fired back at Josh Aloiai. Picture: NRL Imagery

Contacted by Sport Confidential, Parker stood by his original criticism, saying the actions of Manly’s infamous seven derailed their season.

“I saw the interview and Aloiai is entitled to his opinion,” he said.

“To be honest, he didn’t make sense.

“Since that day, those guys cost their club a chance to play semis and they got their head coach (Des Hasler) sacked, it’s all off the back of that (gay-pride issue).

“Some of his comments are contradictory. Like, he said his sister is gay. His own sister. He grew up in a household where his sibling was gay and he won’t wear the jersey ... what is that?

“How would she feel about his stance.

“It’s just garbage and now he is saying he will do it again next year. Do these guys not realise who pays the bills and who pays their wages?”

Josh Aloiai took a pot shot at Corey Parker this week. Picture: Getty

COME HOME HAMMER

North Queensland bosses have kept the door ajar for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to one day return to the Cowboys.

Tabuai-Fidow dropped a bombshell on the Cowboys a fortnight ago by requesting an immediate release to be one of the key signings for Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins for their entry to the NRL next season.

The former Queensland Origin flyer has signed a two-year deal with the Dolphins, but the Cowboys haven’t given up hope of eventually luring the ‘Hammer’ home.

Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck said North Queensland chiefs reluctantly signed off on a release for Tabuai-Fidow and he hopes the Cairns product considers a second stint at the club that launched his NRL career.

“We are absolutely disappointed to lose Hammer,” Luck said.

“The reason that this club was given a licence was so guys from North Queensland can play in the NRL without leaving home and Hammer is a Cairns junior.

“He came through our system and we felt he did a good job to get his foot in the door of first grade and then what he did over the last couple of years, he had a wish to play fullback and we couldn’t promise him that.

Cowboys’ bosses hope Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will one day return to the Cowboys. Picture: Shae Beplate

“There was another club that could promise him that in the Dolphins and he goes with our full blessing.

“But we would certainly welcome him back in the future. Hammer left on good terms, he is good friends with the all the players here and the staff have a high opinion of him, so hopefully one day he does come back.”

Given the form of Scott Drinkwater at fullback, the Cowboys saw Tabuai-Fidow as a winger or centre, but the 21-year-old was determined to flourish in the No.1 jumper.

Luck believes Tabuai-Fidow, one of the NRL’s fastest man, can be a sensation at fullback for the Dolphins.

“Hammer has some gifts that are rare,” Luck said.

“He has pure speed and good anticipation. He will be successful wherever he goes, I have no doubt.

“He brings 50 games of NRL experience and an Origin game to the Dolphins.

“He played in some finals and high-stakes games for us, so he should bring a cool, calm demeanour to what might be a young backline. He brings the Dolphins things you can’t coach like speed and anticipation. He is a competitor and makes a contest of every live-ball situation, so he will go well at the Dolphins.

“I think his best position is fullback the way the modern game goes, but obviously we had ‘Drinky’ here.

“We had two high quality NRL fullbacks and something had to give, so I hope Hammer does well at the Dolphins.”

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, pictured playing for Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup, is off to the Dolphins next year. Picture: AFP

SUNNY DAYS AS HUNI WALKS THE PATH OF THURSTON

They are the Sunnybank Superstars. First it was Johnathan Thurston and now Australia’s boxing golden boy Justis Huni is following in the footsteps of the Queensland Origin great in his quest for sporting stardom.

NRL champion Thurston started his league career at Souths Sunnybank and on Wednesday Huni returned to his former school at Sunnybank State High on Brisbane’s southside with a message of hope for the next generation.

Rated Australia’s best heavyweight, Huni will continue his march towards a world title when he takes on Kiki Leutele at Brisbane’s Nissan Arena next Friday night.

The 23-year-old still lives in the Sunnybank area and was a smash hit with local schoolkids returning to his alma mater.

“It was great to talk to the kids. I was in their position not so long ago,” he said.

“I met a lot of my good friends I still have around today at this school.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from, if you have the drive you can make it to the top and I’d love to come back here one day with a world title.”

Sunnybank State High deputy principal Tania Williams was the teacher who signed the paperwork allowing Huni to leave school in Year 11 to chase his boxing dreams.

“Justis had the ability to finish year 12 but his heart wasn’t in it,” she said. “He had to follow his passion to find his excellence. Justis always worked well with the teachers and they admired him, but boxing was his pathway to success.”

Boxing star Justis Huni returns to his former school, Sunnybank State High.

SHAME ON THE ICC

The International Cricket Council has been left red faced after issuing a document incorrectly spelling the name of Australian leg-spin king Shane Warne.

Planning corporate hospitality, the ICC emailed a seating map to intended guests for the Twenty20 World Cup final at the MCG on November 13.

The information contained a seating map of the MCG, complete with the ‘Shame Warne Stand’, an embarrassing gaffe following the shock death of the cricket legend.

LODGE REVEALS 2023 PLANS

Matt Lodge has broken his silence on his future in the NRL as Roosters coach Trent Robinson revealed he wants the former Broncos enforcer at Bondi next season.

Lodge has ended months of uncertainty over his NRL career by declaring he intends to sign with the Roosters – and is even prepared to take a pay cut in his pursuit of a maiden premiership ring at the Tri-Colours.

Lodge signed a short-term deal with the Roosters late last season, playing nine games for the club, including their finals loss to South Sydney, after his controversial mid-year departure from the Warriors.

As the NRL prepares for its new contracting period on November 1, Lodge remains without a deal for next season, but is adamant he will be in Roosters colours in 2023.

Matt Lodge wants to stay at the Roosters. Picture: NRL Images

“I plan to be there next year,” Lodge said, speaking for the first time about his plans for next season.

“I haven’t spoken about it before but I will be at the Roosters next year.

“I really enjoyed the end of the season, so I don’t really want to be anywhere else.

“I haven’t even reached out and looked anywhere else to see if there is any interest, I’m loving it at the Roosters and I hope to be coached by ‘Robbo’ (Robinson) next year.”

Robinson is confident the Roosters will have the salary cap space to accommodate Lodge, who chalked up his 100th NRL game in the club’s playoffs loss to arch-rivals the Rabbitohs.

“Matt hasn’t signed yet but we’d like to keep him for next year,” said Robinson, currently in England assisting France at the World Cup.

Lodge pocketed an estimated $2.3 million from payouts at the Broncos and Warriors over the past 15 months, enabling him to operate on a cut-price $100,000 deal at the Roosters for the final two months of the 2022 season.

Lodge has enjoyed learning from the best at the Roosters. Picture: NRL Images

Brisbane’s big-money subsidy ends next year, but Lodge says he is happy to sacrifice big bucks in pursuit of an elusive premiership.

“The money doesn’t bother me,” he said.

“If I have to cop a pay cut to be there, that’s what I will do because I’m learning so much at the club.

“As a player, that’s the most important thing.

“The way Nick Politis (Roosters chairman) and Trent looked after me and welcomed me, I want to be a part of that team and if the Roosters can fit me in and make me a part of the team again, that would be great. My money from the Warriors and Broncos is all over, so I’m back to square one now. I’m not on much at the Roosters but money isn’t a factor for me next year, I’m keen to keep learning from some of the best players in the game.”