Leighton Tali Deportation

[the_third]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/talented-teens-leighton-and-epalahame-tali-facing-deportation-just-as-footy-careers-were-taking-off-20150624-ghwuqh.html

The story doesn't go into any real details, but does anyone know anything about the kid?

Lots of players and quoted as doing something, but nothing from anyone at Wests Tigers (players or officials)…

 

[CocaCola]

Seen this on the news just before. The highlight they showed of Leighton's try was unreal.
Sad to hear they had to spend 6 weeks in Villawood detention centre.
Hope they get sorted with their visa issues.

 

[Pawsandclaws]

Sorry started another thread which included a news release about the brothers from Randwick Rugby Club. Interestingly, it was Matt Head who discovered Leighton when he trialled at Hills Sports High and took him to Balmain. Let's hope he is back on the park shortly.

 

[balmain boy]

Some good news on this case, with the brothers released from Villawood and granted new visas.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/footballing-brothers-leighton-and-epalahame-tali-released-from-detention-with-new-visas-20150701-gi2q7f.html

 

[Pawsandclaws]

This is really good news. I watched the highlights of Rnd 6 of the SG Ball on the NSWRL site and the try this youngster scored was outstanding. A big centre with very good pace and the fact he has a 3 year contract with WTs suggests the club believes he has NRL potential. A good pick up by Matt Head for Balmain. Head to me is a footballer's footballer.

Balmain match starts around 6.36 and there is some good work form hooker by Peck (NSW U18) and a nice try by Ryan Papenhuyen.

http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2015/03/25/highlights_sg_ball_r.html

 

[Pawsandclaws]

Any news on if this young fellow is going to debut in our NYC team?

 

[balmain boy]

I imagine he wouldn't debut until next season. He'd barely have even trained with them, and our existing NYC backline is very good.

 

[Pawsandclaws]

Thanks. I had read an article which mentioned the possibility of him playing NYC this year. Apparently he was training with the squad prior to being taken to Villawood.

 

[balmain boy]

Well he might be in with a shot with Cerutto gone now if there's an injury or more callups to nsw cup. He'd be behind Seve, Heleta and Jacobs at the moment.

If he was number 3 then he looks promising. Could have passed the ball a few times, but he still ran 60m to score, bumping off half a dozen players on the way and carrying a few defenders over the line.