Tigers star Luciano Leilua to play out contract, missing $700k pay day

A Wests Tigers star is trying to get out of his contract and trigger a monster pay rise after landing a massive deal in Townsville.

The Wests Tigers may have landed Isaiah Papali’i in a recruitment coup but they are now set to lose one of their own second rowers, but only at the end of the season.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Leilua is off to join the North Queensland Cowboys and that he was seeking an early release from the final year of his contract.

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But a statement from the Tigers revealed that Leilua would played out the final year of his deal before moving to Townsville.

“Wests Tigers forward Luciano Leilua has confirmed to the club he will depart at the end of the 2022 season to take up a long-term deal with another NRL club,” the statement said.

“The 25-year-old Leilua joined Wests Tigers at the start of the 2020 season and has gone on to play a total of 44 games for the club.

“Since his arrival, Luciano has made a strong contribution to Wests Tigers, and we have no doubt that he is firmly committed to delivering his best football with the club in 2022.

“We wish Luciano, his partner Dora, and daughter Ida-Lynn all the best in the future.”

When Leilua takes up the Cowboys deal it’s reported to be worth $2.1 million over three years.

But it also cost Leilua some cash, as an early release would have seen the deal extended to a

four-year deal valued at $2.8 million.

Instead, Leilua will play out the final year of a reported three-year $1.3 million deal at the Tigers.

Luciano Leilua is off to the Cowboys. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Cowboys are understood to have targeted Leilua with the money that had been put aside to try lure Panthers forward Viliame Kikau back to North Queensland.

That bid, of course, failed with Kikau instead agreeing to terms with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Leilua and his manager are reported to have been disappointed with the lack of progress in negotiations with the Tigers, which began in August.

Any early move is dependant on the Tigers granting Leilua a release and with Papali’i only joining in 2023 it would be a significant hit to the club’s depth.

Leilua will join a new-look Cowboys side led by halfback Chad Townsend as coach Todd Payten attempts to guide the club back towards the top eight.

Wild way Brooks can still get to Knights

Sea Eagles playmaker Kieran Foran’s desire for one last payday could see Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks join the Knights.

But that will only happen if Josh Hodgson is released by the Raiders who want more money from the Tigers for the veteran hooker - however negotiations reportedly broke down on Wednesday.

There’s no rest for the wicked in the convoluted world of the NRL off-season.

Foran is contracted for 2022 but if the Knights - who are looking to replace Mitchell Pearce - offer a longer deal, he could request an immediate release from Manly.

If the Tigers can salvage the Hodgson situation - that might allow Brooks to join the Knights - and the Tigers will then look at signing Foran, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie.

“Kieran Foran has a contract for 2022 and (Manly coach) Des Hasler has no plans to let him go,” Ritchie said on Big Sports Breakfast.

Kieran Foran and Luke Brooks. Getty

“Newcastle are talking among themselves to replace Pearce. They need a big playmaker. I don’t think Brooks will go. So it’s ‘Do we offer Foran two years’.

“He could pick up $350,000-$400,000. That could prompt (Foran) to ask for a release if he could get the extra year.

“The other element is if Hodgson goes then that might allow Brooks to go then the Tigers might have a look at Kieran Foran but we’re still bubbling along in the background with lots of rumours and speculation.

“I don’t think Hodgson will happen but all it takes is for the Tigers to come back and say to the Raiders ‘We’ll bump it up a bit’ and I think the Raiders would then let him go immediately.

“These things bubble along for months and then boom, they can happen within 24 hours.”

Foran departing would allow rising star Josh Schuster - who has made it clear he wants to play in the halves - to wear the No. 6 jumper.

Newcastle signing Foran would allow the club to keep Kalyn Ponga at fullback for at least another year.

Stood down star getting some attention

Manase Fainu is still on the books at the Sea Eagles while awaiting his day in court next year, but rival clubs are monitoring the situation closely.

Fainu, 23, is currently on a train-and-trial deal for the 2022 pre-season and still subject to the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy.

The hooker was widely tipped to become sn NRL star before he was charged with “intent to cause grievous bodily harm, affray and recklessly cause grievous bodily harm in company” after the alleged incident in 2019.

Manase Fainu of the Sea Eagles.

The no-fault stand down policy was triggered because the maximum penalty he faces is more than 11 years. Fainu has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He is due back in court mid next year following several legal delays.

Fainu played 34 NRL games before the incident and has two brothers at the club.

Despite having not played in three years, The Daily Telegraph reports several clubs are keen on Fainu should he be found not guilty.

The Cowboys Titans, Warriors, Roosters and Bulldogs are all on the lookout for a quality hooker.

Originally published as Tigers star Luciano Leilua to play out contract, missing $700k pay day