Exclusive: New Signing Tesi Niu Targets Super League Impact with Leigh Leopards

New Leigh Leopard Fantesi ‘Tesi’ Niu aims to become a handful for Betfred Super League defences this season.

But until he makes his debut next month, then Niu’s own hands are currently full with a new family arrival.

The former Australian Schoolboys star and partner Kiani, who only arrived in the UK last month, have just celebrated the birth of their second child.

The new arrival-born this week- is a baby sister for the couple’s one-year-old daughter.

“I wouldn’t say it has been tough because the boys and the club have made it much easier for us,” said the 23-year-old who can cover a variety of positions across the backline.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, the Tonga international said: "I had a few options before I signed for Leigh."

“I wanted a new start with the way my career was going and seeing what the team has done and what Lammy (head coach Adrian Lam) has done in the game, I thought they could take my career to the next level.”

From NRL to Super League

Niu may not be a household name to many Super League fans. But he touches down at Leigh Sports Village with plenty of experience.

He made his Tongan international debut aged 18, helping his country to a historic victory over Great Britain in 2019.

A year later Queensland born Niu, still 18, was handed his NRL bow by Brisbane Broncos.

In 2023, he switched to the Dolphins, playing in the newest NRL club’s first ever game in the National competition.

In total, Niu played 56 times in the NRL scoring 20 tries. Now, he’s looking to make his mark in Super League when Leigh-play-off semi-finalists last season-open their campaign at Grand Slam winners and BBC TV’s Sports Personality team of the year, Wigan Warriors on February 13.

“I am a player that gives his all,” said Niu, part of the Aussie Schools side that ran up a record 92-0 win over England Colleges in 2018.

“Week in, week out, I put my body on the line for the boys and try to put in good performances. But I have to work to earn my spot and fight for my jersey.”

Niu, seen as a direct replacement for centre Ricky Leutele, is expected to get his first competitive run out when Leigh provide the opposition for Warrington in Toby King’s testimonial at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on February 1.

The 2023 Challenge Cup winners then face the Royal Navy or League One Workington in this season’s revamped competition before the daunting trip to Wigan.

“I have watched the Leigh Leopards for a while,” he said. 

“The club is going in the right direction and I want to be a part of it. I want to go to finals and be a top three team.”