Spencer Leniu says the chance to model his game off evergreen front-rower Junior Paulo - and not the opportunity to become a starting NRL prop - was the main motivation behind his decision to sign with Parramatta.
Leniu ended months of speculation last week when he was given an early release from the Sydney Roosters to join the Eels from 2027 onwards.
The 26-year-old four-time premiership winner has inked a four-year deal with the Eels where he is set to reunite with former Penrith teammate Jarome Luai, who has signed a one-season contract before heading to the PNG Chiefs in 2028.
Leniu consistently denied speculation linking him with the Eels earlier this year and said he didn't even inform Luai of his next move until he had signed a deal following the Roosters' grand final victory.
"I didn't want it to get out that we were talking to Parra and I thought I'd try to keep it in house with just my family," Leniu told AAP.
"Obviously there was interest when Romey signed there but Junior was a big reason I came over.
"I've played with the big boy with Samoa and admired his game from afar for many years and how he goes about his business.
"This game, they try to run front-rowers out of the game but he has changed his whole body to adapt and I've asked him for his gym program because he's similar (shape) to me."
Paulo has consistently been one of the NRL's most durable and skilful props, often putting up big minutes in spite of his sizeable 110kg frame.
Leniu joined the Roosters with the aim of becoming a regular starter in the NRL but over time has found he is more damaging as an impact player from the bench.
"When I dreamed about playing in the NRL I never dreamed about whether I stated or came off the bench," Leniu said.
"Whether I'm playing is the ultimate goal and I get to live my dream every day, not many people get to say that. Bench or starting, I'm easy."
Leniu, Paulo and Luai were all part of the Samoan side that hammered France 78-4 to open their World Cup campaign in Sydney last week.
Samoa face one of the most challenging away trips in international rugby league this week when they take on the Kumuls in Port Moresby on Saturday.
It will be Luai and Samoa winger Brian To'o's first visits to PNG since they signed with the Chiefs.
"I have never played there but I know it's going to be 30 degrees and 99 per cent humidity," Leniu said.
"It's just another challenge we're going to have to face. To his credit, he (Luai) has paid for everything each time we've gone out for dinner so I guess that tax-free money is good."
Replies
When he had tears running down his face singing the Samoan anthem, that won me. Let's bring that passion to the Eels Big Fella
Good point. His passion, energy, and aggression is what we need.
But apparently Junior isn't a leader for Pacific Islander players.
lol I know I belly laughed at that the attraction was Jnr Paulo to come to Parra if you red the rhetoric round here some are empathetic with JaC but Jnrs some lazy so and so has zero value on the field but now you read this.Just imagine if Jnr wasn't around there's a good chance Leniu doesn't land here.
yeah Paulo is like the leader of the islanders 😂 they all love him
And yet theyre pretty ordinary . Imagine how crap theyd be if we didnt have the pied piper of islander players bringing us all the fine young talent .
i mean , why didnt Spencer get lost in juniors big doey eyes and sign with us when Junior wasnt in his last season ?
Junior signed what a week ago , Spencer signed months ago ... bwgaha **insert big belly laugh here **
So a guy , ensorses a guy , who he's mayes with , whos also hunting a contract , and this erases all history of said guy plodding through a large portion of his prior contracts .. riiiiight .
Nobody questioned if he was the leader of them , what was stated was if hes their leader , it hasnt really translated into much .
Just hope Spencer can be a consistent player for the club - being a high paid player we need strong on field performances.
Junior is no doubt seen a leader by the islander players - but for me he and Moses need to be better as onfield leaders and play the high level consistent footy needed year in year out commensurate with their pay. It seems at times our team and under BA too have been slow starters to games for one; and also at times when we have played lower ranked teams also we seem to struggle - this isn't all on them but as leaders on the field we need strong showing.
I just assumed that was the weight of his annual salary converted to cash