Joey Leilua will not return to the NRL following his year at Featherstone Rovers

New Featherstone Rovers signing Joey Leilua will not be returning to the NRL after his shock tirade against ‘his haters’ back in Australia.

That’s according to one NRL chief executive who has claimed that the 30-year-old has burned all of his bridges for a potential return Down Under after his successful fight against Chris Heighington.

In the wake of his victory, Leilua had told his doubters to “go f— themselves”, which, after being released from the Wests Tigers, justified their decision to do so, an NRL chief admits.

“He did himself no favours,” an NRL CEO told the Daily Telegraph. “He is the type of player that has the talent to make it back from the UK but we will not see him in the NRL after that. He is a loose cannon.”

Leilua has 225 NRL games under his belt as well as appearances in two Grand Finals, but the Samoan international wants to continue boxing even after rediscovering his love for rugby league.

“It’s given me direction. I’m going to enjoy my time there and whatever happens after that happens,” he previously said.

“I’m just going to go there, play good footy and see what happens. But I always want to do boxing. Hopefully I’ll come back next year and do another set of boxing.”

Leilua was signed by Featherstone in a signing that shocked the rugby league world as he prepares to help new boss Brian McDermott push Rovers towards promotion.