Featherstone Rovers star Joey Leilua returns home after tragic passing of his mother
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 11: Joey Leilua of the Tigers warms up during the round five NRL match between the Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval on April 11, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire RUGBY: APR 11 NRL Rd 5 - Wests Tigers v Cowboys Icon2104110006
Featherstone Rovers have announced that former Samoa international and one of their star players, Joey Leilua, will return home to Australia following the sad passing of his mother.
The club announced the news via their Twitter page and expressed that Joey has the support of all those at the club behind him as he returns home to be with his family.
💙 The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Joey Leilua and his family after the sudden passing of his mother over the weekend.
Joey will return to Australia for a short period with the full support of the club. pic.twitter.com/mdokK5KhHM
— Featherstone Rovers (@FevRoversRLFC) January 23, 2023
Featherstone reported that his mother passed ‘suddenly’ over the weekend triggering the 31-year-old to return to be with his loved ones at this difficult time.
Only on Friday did Leilua feature off the bench for Featherstone in their huge win over Super League side, Hull Kingston Rovers.
The club haven’t offered a timescale as to when Leilua will return, simply stating that he’ll return for a “short period”.
With Featherstone set to face Keighley in the final game of round one, Monday 6th February, it’s unclear if the star player will be back in time for the match.
Even so his playing status is the last thing on his, and Rovers’, mind right now given the terrible circumstances of his return to Australia and everyone at Serious About Rugby League would like to extend our best wishes to him and his family.
31-year-old Leilua is in his second year in England having joined Featherstone prior to the 2022 campaign from Wests Tigers following an illustrious career in the NRL.