Francis Leota

Francis Leota

Personal information
Full name	Francis Poipoi Leota
Born	(1964-05-28) 28 May 1964 (age 60) Auckland, New Zealand
Playing information
Position	Wing, Prop, Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P Otahuhu 1989–91 Sheffield Eagles Salford City Reds 1994 Waikato Cougars 19 4 0 0 16 1996 Counties Manukau 2 1 0 0 4 Total 21 5 0 0 20 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1988–93 Auckland 1989–90 New Zealand 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Francis Poipoi Leota ^[2] is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented New Zealand between 1989 and 1990, including in games that counted towards the 1992 World Cup.

Early years

Leota attended De La Salle College and played rugby union until he was 20. ^[3]

Playing career

Leota was an Otahuhu Leopards junior, in the Auckland Rugby League competition. He originally played on the wing until he moved into the second row in 1987. ^[3] He was an Auckland representative and played in three Test matches for the New Zealand national rugby league team between 1989 and 1990. ^[4] He was a New Zealand Residents representative in 1990 and 1992. ^[5]

Leota played for the Sheffield Eagles between 1989 and 1991 and also represented the Salford City Reds in England. ^[6]

In 1993 Leota won the Rothville Trophy for Otahuhu, which is awarded to the ARL's player of the year. ^[5] Also in 1993 Leota played for Auckland and represented an Otago Invitational XIII that played the New Zealand Māori side. ^{[7] [8]}

In 1994 Leota played for the Waikato Cougars in the new Lion Red Cup. ^[9] He played for the champion Counties Manukau Heroes in 1996. ^[10]

References

1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
2. LEOTA, Francis Poipoi 1989 - 90 - Kiwi #618 Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine nzleague.co.nz
3. Lion Red 1989 Rugby League Annual New Zealand Rugby League, p.12
4. Lowe, Graham (7 April 2006). "Graham Lowe: No friendlies in Auckland for Sea Eagles". The New Zealand Herald . Retrieved 30 September 2011.
5. Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football and Sports Club Inc Archived 5 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine Auckland Rugby League
6. Lions inspired by crafty Fox The Independent, 9 July 1992
7. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1993, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1993. p.213
8. John Coffey, Bernie Wood (2008). 100 years: Māori rugby league, 1908-2008. Huia Publishers. p. 278. ISBN   978-1-86969-331-2. ISBN   9781869693312.
9. Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.114
10. New Zealand National Premiership 1996 The Vault