Leilua, Taulagi bromance is part of Cowboys finals charge

Fraser Barton | September 21, 2022

Leaving a club is never easy but Luciano Leilua has quickly found a home with North Queensland after a mid-season switch which propelled him from wooden-spoon candidate to a potential shot at the grand final.

The 26-year-old had inked a three-year deal with the Cowboys, set to begin in 2023, but secured an early release from Wests Tigers during the international break in June this season.

He made his debut for the Cowboys in their home derby win over Brisbane in round 16.

Since then he has been a stalwart in Todd Payten’s side and takes to the field each week with the simple motivation of repaying his coach’s faith in him.

But in terms of moving to Townsville, settling in and finding extra incentive on the field, a ‘bromance’ with winger Murray Taulagi has ticked all the boxes.

“I like to call him MC Muzz,” Leilua told AAP.

“We’re in the sauna together every day, spitting bars (rapping) to pass the time.

“I love Muzz like a brother and we’re going to grow together here, and hopefully we finish our careers together here.”

The pair will single each other out on the field if one makes an error or is not involved in a tough carry, Leilua said.

But it is all for motivation, their banter and camaraderie an extra tool to push themselves for the betterment of the team.

“It’s not a kick up the arse, but it’s more like, ‘Do this better, do that better’. We’re not taking it to heart,” Taulagi told AAP.

“Luch is like an older brother to me now. He’s the one you can recognise from a mile away because of his laugh.

“He walks in and brightens up the room. Having a big second row with X-factor like him makes all the boys’ jobs a lot easier.

“He’s been a really massive help for us going into this finals run. 

“He’s been playing really well and I’m happy to see him succeed.”