Featherstone tie down key trio to new deals for 2023
Joey Leilua, Mark Kheirallah and Johnathon Ford have all put pen to paper on new deals with Featherstone for 2023, regardless of what league they are in.
The trio, who have been regulars for Brian McDermott’s side this season, have signed one-year deals with the club for 2023, whether that be in Super League or in the Championship.
Rovers chairman Mark Campbell said: “Attracting players of this calibre is one thing, but being able to retain them shows the environment we’ve built and how we’ve helped these players settle into life at Featherstone.”
Joey Leilua commits to Featherstone
Samoa powerhouse centre Leilua joined Featherstone ahead of this season, scoring 17 tries in 25 games for the club.
A two-time Dally M Centre of the Year in the NRL, Leilua has won 15 caps for Samoa on the international stage.
He said: “Me and my family have really settled in here. We love it so far, we love the school and the lifestyle here so it was a really easy decision to make.”
PROMOTION: Joey Leilua wants to help take Featherstone to Super League
France international Kheirallah joined Rovers midway through the season having left Super League side Toulouse. He scored eight tries in 12 games before his season ended early through injury.
Kheirallah said: “I felt that having been injured, I’d not had the opportunity to give what I really wanted to give. I’m grateful for the second chance. I’m really enjoying it here, the support, the club, the coaching staff, I’m really happy here.”
Cook Islands international Ford, who is hoping to play at this year’s World Cup, is also delighted to extend his time at Post Office Road.
He said: “We’re super happy here, my wife is happy, my kids are happy, it was a really easy decision and to have the opportunity to play alongside Killer (Mark Kheirallah) again is great.”
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