NRL: Fortune favours the brave Leilua

Joseph Leilua takes a tackle during the round 19 NRL match against the Bulldogs. Photo /Getty Images.

It was a calculated risk and not without its repercussions, but Joseph "BJ" Leilua's brave decision to turn down NRL coaching legend Wayne Bennett appears to be an astute career move.

The 18-year-old St George Illawarra junior incurred the wrath of Bennett and Dragons management when he turned down the chance to stay at the premiership favourites last August.

When he was summoned to Bennett's office to discuss his future, the Sydney Roosters already had a first-grade deal on the table and, with the Dragons replete with second rowers and centres - even before Mark Gasnier returned from French rugby - Leilua opted for the accelerated pathway across town at Bondi instead of plugging away in the under-20s Toyota Cup.

Thirteen months later, the former Australian schoolboys' representative, who has now pledged allegiance to the Kiwis, finds himself in a position he could not have envisaged had he stayed put.

A constant in the Roosters match-day squad since he debuted against the Gold Coast Titans in May, Leilua can now start to visualise a premiership grand final in his rookie season.

And if that unfolds on October 3, he will have played a pivotal role in the transformation of the former tail-ender.

Equally at home in the back row or centre, Leilua starts tonight's semifinal with the Titans in Brisbane on the wing for Phil Graham, who was ruled out with a torn pectoral muscle.

Leilua's place on the bench has been taken by utility Ben Jones; prop Lopini Paea also joins an extended five-man interchange. "It's rotten luck for Phil," said Roosters coach Brian Smith before confirming Leilua's promotion.

"BJ's the walk-up there. He's played a lot of good games for us this year.

"He's only a young fella but he did a great job on the weekend."

Leilua replaced Graham 29 minutes into the Roosters' 34-12 elimination of the Penrith Panthers at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday and impressed Smith by making a smooth transition to an unfamiliar role.

"He's never let us down at any stage this year, he's been a bit of a find for us."

Although born and raised in the St George catchment area Leilua had a Roosters connection through a relative, former Kiwis centre Sia Soliola.

But leaving his local club was not easy, particularly when he had to front Bennett. "It was a rough night, that night. We had a meeting - me, him [Bennett] and [recruitment manager] Craig Young, talking about them wanting me to sign," Leilua recalled.

"I told them I was going to be signing with the Roosters. It was heaps hard. It was scary, man. I just told him I needed to go, I needed something fresh."

The Dragons did not take Leilua's rejection well and banished him from training with the NRL and Toyota Cup squads last year.

His preparation for first grade instead amounted to schoolboy footy for Endeavour Sports High. "They brushed me, I was angry," said Leilua, who hardly harbours a grudge now.

He credits Smith, another long-standing NRL coach, with developing his game to first grade standard. "He's had a good impact on me."

- NZPA