LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The North Queensland Cowboys have made the official call to release Luciano Leilua from his contract, as reported by zerotackle.com.
Leilua, who joined the Cowboys in 2022, recently asked for a release due to difficulties adjusting to life up north.
Despite impressing during his time with the Wests Tigers, Leilua's performance declined in the latter half of 2022 and he missed a substantial portion of 2023 due to the NRL's no-fault stand-down rule.
Upon his return, Leilua struggled to recapture his previous form and faced competition for playing time from Jeremiah Nanai, Heilum Luki, and breakout star Kulikefu Finefuiaki.
While no confirmation has been given, there have been strong rumors linking Leilua to the St George Illawarra Dragons on a lucrative $900,000-per-year contract.
Now, it seems possible that he may return to the club where he made his NRL debut in Round 1, as the Cowboys have released a brief statement confirming his departure.