Consistency has been the knock on Joey Leilua, but Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart says that's been the key ingredient for the electrifying centre ahead of his 200th NRL game.
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That consistency has brought Leilua into the State of Origin conversation, with another chance to further frank his credentials against Penrith at Wagga Wagga on Saturday.
![Joey Leilua will play his 200th NRL game. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong Joey Leilua will play his 200th NRL game. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc750l35z7zupxb87xo45.jpg/r0_279_5449_3355_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Stuart said that was up to the NSW Blues selectors, but he said the star centre's form was a key part to a successful Raiders season.
Leilua's the Green Machine's leading try scorer with four, has the most line breaks (five), is second behind John Bateman for tackle breaks (35) and is equal first with fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for offloads (11).
The 27-year-old's defence has improved this season, with his tackle efficiency of 86 per cent the best it's been since 2016 - when he had a brilliant year.
"Consistency. The one thing I've seen in 'BJ's' game in his season so far is he's been very consistent and he's playing very well," Stuart said.
"We need him to play well too. If we're going to be a competitive football team I need BJ to be consistently strong and it's something he's working hard on."
Leilua's 199 games have been for three clubs, including 59 for the Sydney Roosters and 54 for Newcastle.
Stuart said it was a huge accomplishment and there was still a lot of football in him.
"There's no reason he can't be one of those 300 game players," he said.
"For those that don't know BJ, he doesn't like the spotlight, he doesn't like talking about himself, but once he's on the football field I haven't coached too many more competitive people.
"He's taken the wrong way at times and sometimes he's his own worst enemy.
"He's a powerful, big player. He's quite polarising. When he's on he's on. He gets a lot of criticism at times when he's trying something and it doesn't come off, but that's the kind of player he is."
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Leilua will be without his best mate and usual winger, with Jordan Rapana (ribs) out injured.
Rapana's been granted compassionate leave to attend his grandfather's funeral in New Zealand.
In his place is Bailey Simonsson, who made his NRL debut in round one and is the leading try scorer in the NSW Cup.
Simonsson said he took confidence from his game against the Gold Coast Titans, where he scored a try on debut playing outside of Leilua.
He was looking forward to working with Bateman, who has shifted to the right edge in place of Joe Tapine (ankle).
"Leilua and Bateman are two of the in-form players in the comp at the moment so it definitely makes me a lot more confident being out there and makes my job a lot easier," Simonsson said.
"It will be exciting playing on the same side as [Bateman].
"You've seen how elusive he is across the field so hopefully he can open up some opportunities for me out there."
![Bailey Simonsson is looking forward to teaming up with Leilua and John Bateman. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt Bailey Simonsson is looking forward to teaming up with Leilua and John Bateman. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc74in5dw51z71kwc2t8ru.jpg/r0_189_3694_2274_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
NRL ROUND EIGHT
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Penrith Panthers at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga, 3pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Bailey Simonsson, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Hudson Young, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 19. Michael Oldfield, 20. Emre Guler.
Panthers squad: 1. Caleb Aekins, 2. Josh Mansour, 3. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Malakai Watene-Zelezniak, 6. James Maloney (c), 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. James Tamou, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Tim Grant, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Isaah Yeo, 13. James Fisher-Harris. Interchange: 14. Sione Katoa, 15. Liam Martin, 16. Moses Leota, 17. Reagan Campbell-Gillard. Reserves: 18. Jarome Luai, 19. Kaide Ellis.