31 Oct 2024
Rhinos Representatives: Samoa
There's only three days to go until England and Samoa land at AMT Headingley in the second and final test match of the ABK Beers International Series, kick off 2.30pm.
Whilst Saturday's game is only Samoa's second outing at the stadium in it's history, Leeds has been called home by some of Samoa's biggest stars down the years.
Here's our run down of the past and present Rhinos players that have represented Samoa in their careers:
Willie Poching
After arriving in the UK to play for Wakefield, Rhinos fans were equally as receptive as their Trinity counterparts to Willie Poching during the four years he wore blue and amber.
Signed in 2003, Poching was importantly part of the squad that started the club's golden generation, coming off the bench in the 2004 Grand Final win over Bradford as well as the 2005 World Club Challenge win over Canterbury Bulldogs; a game in which he scored a try. Unfortunately, a knee injury brought a premature end to Poching's playing career as he retired at the conclusion of the 2006 campaign, but his 131 Super League appearances for the Rhinos was certainly memorable.
Poching first represented Samoa before he arrived on UK soils as he was selected for the 1995 World Cup side and played twice at hooker in games against France and Wales. He also pulled on the Samoa colours in the 2000 World Cup as well as the side reached the quarter finals. He helped his nation to wins over Scotland and the New Zealand Maori, kicking two goals against the latter in a 21-16 result.
Since moving into the coachWillie is also part of Ben Gardiner's staff for this year's series against England.
Kylie Leuluai
Kylie Leuluai is the most successful overseas player in Leeds Rhinos history having won six Grand Finals, two League Leaders' Shields, two World titles and two Challenge Cup Finals between 2007 and 2015.
He made his Rhinos debut on the opening day of the 2007 season against Salford City Reds and finished that season with the first of his six Grand Final appearances, all of which ended in victory. A powerful ball-carrier, he too was a fan favourite as he batted opposition defences and scored 22 times in 264 total appearances for the Rhinos, making him the longest serving New Zealander in the club’s history and the second longest serving overseas players only behind the legendary Eric Harris in the all time list.
Having previously represented New Zealand Maori earlier in his career, Leuluai first got a call up to the Samoa side in 2006 for the nations World Cup Qualifiers. He made a try scoring debut against Fiji in a tight 30-28 win before starting in the front row in a convincing win over Cook Islands. He added two World Cup appearances in 2008 as the side beat France and Tonga, as well as a final appearance in the 2009 Pacific Cup.
Ali Lauitiiti
Ali Lauitiiti is one of the most exciting overseas players to have played for Leeds in the club's history. The forward joined the Rhinos in May 2004 from NRL side New Zealand Warriors and finished his debut season with 19 appearances and a Grand Final winners ring. He added a World Club title to his collection a year later when the Rhinos beat Canterbury Bulldogs at Elland Road, plus he was also an integral player as Leeds recorded three consecutive Grand Final titles between 2007 and 2009.
He marked his 200th and final game for Leeds with more glory at Old Trafford in 2011, as the Rhinos made history by lifting the Grand Final trophy from fifth place, before he left the club to joined Wakefield.
His form with the Rhinos in 2007 earned Lauitiiti a call up for Samoa for the first time as the side secured World Cup qualification with wins over USA and Lebanon. During the 2008 World Cup, he featured three times, including in the Play Off win over France, plus he added two more appearances in 2010 against New Zealand and Tonga.
Sam Lisone
Leeds Rhinos added Samoan international Sam Lisone from Gold Coast Titans for the 2023 Betfred Super League season and he was an instant hit among the Rhinos fanbase.
Debuting in round one against Warrington, the prop had a memorable first campaign at Headingley as he played 24 times. One of the highlights of the year was his hat trick in a 28-12 win over Hull FC, which was nominated for Try of the Season and Magic Moment at the club's awards dinner. His second year saw the prop feature 24 times again in all competitions and was a try scorer in the side's opening game against Salford as well as a high scoring win over London.
Lisone first earned a call up to Samoa in his debut NRL season at the Warriors as he came off the bench in a 18-16 win over Tonga. He was also a substitute in 2016 against Fiji, but an impressive season in 2017 saw him earn a place in the side's World Cup squad, where he featured against New Zealand and Tonga.
Keenan Palasia
One of Leeds' newest names ahead of the 2025 season, Keenan Palasia, looks to add to his tally of Samoa caps when he takes on England in this year's test series.
Having grown up on the Gold Coast, he broke into the NRL with Brisbane Broncos in 2019 before helping the side to the Grand Final in 2023 in his breakout season. He appeared in 20 games for the runners-up including an impressive spell off the bench in the Grand Final against Penrith, before he moved home to the Titans in 2024. After 15 appearances for the Titans last season, he was unveiled as one of the Rhinos' newest signings along with Ryan Hall, Cooper Jenkins and Jake Connor.
Internationally, Palasia's form for the Broncos saw him make his international debut in 2022 as he featured off the bench in a 42-12 win over Cook Islands. Off the back of his Grand Final appearance a year later, he was recalled for the side's Pacific Championship squad and played against Australia and New Zealand for Ben Gardiner.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the ABK Beer International are still available to buy now online - go to https://mpv.tickets.com/schedu...
Hospitality for the England Men's and Women's double header at AMT Headingley is available too with our partner Seat Unique. Go to https://leedsrhinoshospitality... to book now.