New NQ Cowboys recruit Leilua excited for derby blockbuster and his 100th game

Regarded as one of the NRL’s most destructive second rowers, new NQ Cowboys recruit Leilua is expected to play in the XXXX derby blockbuster, which will be his 100th NRL game.

IT will be a baptism of fire for new North Queensland Cowboys recruit Luciano Leilua, who is expected to debut in front of a sold-out Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the blockbuster derby clash against the Broncos.

Leilua arrived in North Queensland last week, and is expected to be part of Todd Payten’s run on side when teams are named on Tuesday afternoon.

The general ticket allocation for Cowboys and Broncos blockbuster has been sold out for several weeks, while a few hundred tickets, which were set aside for new members, are expected to go within the next 48 hours.

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The Cowboys are predicting a crowd of nearly 25,000 to pack out the stadium.

This Saturday’s blockbuster will carry added importance for the third-placed Cowboys and fifth-placed Broncos, with both side’s determined to consolidate their place in the top four in the run to finals.

Regarded as one of the NRL’s most destructive ball runners, Leilua, 26, will add plenty of experience to the Cowboys young forward pack.

If named to start for the Cowboys, Leilua will celebrate a milestone 100th NRL game against the Broncos, and he said he couldn’t wait to achieve it.

Luciano Leilua of the Wests Tigers is tackled during the round 12 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers at Accor Stadium, on May 28. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I’m really grateful to play one (game). To play 100 on Saturday will be pretty good,” Leilua said.

“It will be really exciting. I’m just going to go about my weekend and see how it all pans out.

“I’m ready for anything. I don’t mind starting or (coming) off the bench, whatever is best for the team.”

Impressed with the facilities at the Cowboys newly-minted Hutchinson Builders Centre, Leilua said he was struck by the warmth of his welcome ... and of the weather.

The backrower, who has averaged more than 100 metres per game for the past three seasons at the Tigers, said he was excited by the prospect of competing for an NRL premiership in 2022.

“I’ve got a great opportunity to come here, the boys are going really good. We’ve got a chance to win it. I’ve just got to come in and do my role,” he said.

New NQ Cowboys recruit Luciano Leilua can't wait to run out in his 100th NRL game on Saturday. Picture: Leighton Smith

There was a silver lining to the Queensland Maroons’ 44-12 drubbing at the hands of New South Wales in game two of the State of Origin with the Cowboys’ representative players emerging unscathed.

“Refreshed and recharged” from the weekend off, prop forward Coen Hess said the team was focused on winning the blockbuster ahead of the bye next week.

“We certainly will have no excuses to go out there and rip in and leave it all out there on the field,” Hess said.

“They’ll probably be looking to get one back on us (after the loss in) round three, and we’ll be doing our best to get that same result.

“It’s always a great test and one that both sides really get up for.”

Originally published as New NQ Cowboys recruit Leilua excited for derby blockbuster and his 100th game