Leeson Ah Mau

Leeson Ah Mau (born 20 December 1989) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, and played for Samoa and New Zealand at international level.

Leeson Ah Mau
Personal information
Born (1989-12-20) 20 December 1989
Auckland, New Zealand
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight111 kg (17 st 7 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009 New Zealand Warriors 2 0 0 0 0
2010–11 North Qld Cowboys 33 2 0 0 8
2012–18 St. George Illawarra 144 4 1 0 18
2019– New Zealand Warriors 26 0 0 0 0
Total 205 6 1 0 26
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–17 Samoa 16 0 0 0 0
2018–19 New Zealand 9 0 0 0 0
As of 18 November 2020
Source: [1]

He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys and the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League.

Early years

Ah Mau was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan and Chinese descent.[2] He is the brother of Isaak Ah Mau.

He attended De La Salle College, Mangere East, and started his rugby league career with the Papatoetoe Panthers, later moving to Otahuhu, and playing in Auckland Rugby League competitions. As a member of Otahuhu, Ah Mau played for the Tamaki Titans in the Bartercard Cup. Ah Mau played for the Junior Kiwis in 2006 and the New Zealand under-18 side in 2007. Ah Mau was signed to a developmental contract with the Warriors in 2007. During his first year with the club he played 18 games in the NSWRL Premier League for the Auckland Lions. In 2008 he played in the inaugural season of the Toyota Cup, making 22 appearances for the Junior Warriors.[3] He finished his Toyota Cup career with 40 appearances, 9 tries and 1 goal.[4]

Playing career

2009

In round 1 of the 2009 NRL season, Ah Mau made his first grade debut for the New Zealand Warriors against the Parramatta Eels off the interchange bench in the Warriors 26–18 win.[3][5] However, after suffering a hamstring injury, Ah Mau did not play first grade again in 2009. His contract was not renewed for the 2010 season, and he signed with the North Queensland Cowboys.[6][7] Ah Mau finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 2 matches for the New Zealand Warriors.

2010

Ah Mau made his first grade debut for the North Queensland Cowboys in round 4, against the Gold Coast Titans playing off the interchange bench in the Cowboys 32–18 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.[8] Ah Mau scored his first NRL career try in the round 22 Queensland derby match against the Brisbane Broncos in the Cowboys 26–34 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium.[9] Ah Mau went on to be named the Cowboys' rookie of the year for the 2010 season, having made 18 first-grade appearances and scoring a try.

2011

On 8 August 2011 Ah Mau signed with the St George Illawarra Dragons on a 2-year deal starting from 2012.[10] Ah Mau finished the Cowboys 2011 NRL season with him playing in 15 matches and scoring a try.

2012

In round 1 of the 2012 NRL season, in the season opener against the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium, Ah Mau made his club debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons off the interchange bench in the Dragons golden point extra time 15–14 win.[11] Ah Mau spent most of the year playing for the Illawarra Cutters in the NSW Cup. Ah Mau finished the Dragons 2012 NRL season with him playing in 11 matches.

Ah Mau playing for St. George Illawarra

2013

On 20 April 2013, Ah Mau made his international début, playing for Samoa in the Pacific Rugby League International against pacific rivals Tonga. Ah Mau played off the interchange bench in Samoa's 4–36 loss at Penrith Stadium.[12] In round 24, against the Wests Tigers at the SCG, Ah Mau scored his first club try for the Dragons in the Dragons 16–34 loss. Ah Mau finished the Dragons 2013 NRL season with him playing in 15 matches and scoring a try. On 24 September 2013, Ah Mau extended his contracted with the Dragons for a further two years, until the end of the 2015 season.

Ah Mau representing Samoa

In October 2013, Ah Mau was selected for Samoa to participate in their 2013 World Cup campaign. Ah Mau played in three of Samoa's four matches.

2014

On 14 February 2014, Ah Mau was selected in the Dragons inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.[13] On 3 May 2014, Ah Mau played for Samoa in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League International against Fiji at Penrith Stadium. Ah Mau played at second-row in Samoa's 32–16 win.[14] Ah Mau finished off the Dragons 2014 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches and scoring a try. On 7 October 2014, Ah Mau was selected in Samoa's 24 man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.[15][16]

2015

On 2 May, Ah Mau played for Samoa in their Polynesian Cup clash with Pacific rivals Tonga, playing at second-row in Samoa's 18–16 win at Cbus Super Stadium.[17] On 22 May 2015, Ah Mau re-signed with the Dragons on a 3-year contract, until the end of the 2018 season.[18][19] He played in every game for the Dragons in the 2015 season,[20] and earned the 2015 Dragons' Player of the Year medal at the Annual Red V Awards Ceremony.

2016

On 7 May 2016, Ah Mau played for Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup against Tonga, where he started at second-row in the 18–6 win at Parramatta Stadium.[21] Later in the year he captained Samoa in their historic test match against Fiji in Apia.[22]

2017

On 6 October 2017, Ah Mau was selected for Samoa to participate in their 2017 World Cup campaign,[23] and played in all four of their matches.

2018

On 9 July 2018, it was announced that Ah Mau had signed with the New Zealand Warriors for three years starting in 2019.[24]

2019

In round 22, Ah Mau played his 200th NRL game for the Warriors in their 42–6 loss against the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney.

References
  1. Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Leeson Ah Mau - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. "China set for Rugby League". World of Rugby League. 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  5. Williams, Steven (14 March 2009). "Warriors down Eels to register first up win". League Unlimited. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  6. Kilgallon, Steve (20 June 2009). "Tuimavave shown door". The Sunday Star-Times. Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  7. Ricketts, Steve (23 July 2009). "North Queensland Cowboys rope in Isaak and Leeson Ah Mau". The Courier-Mail. News Corp. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  8. Stannard, Damien (3 April 2010). "Cowboys Beat Titans at Dairy Farmers Stadium". The Courier-Mail. News Corp. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  9. Baumgart, Sean (7 August 2010). "Thurston injury marks miserable night for Cowboys". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  10. "Dragons sign Cowboy Leeson Ah Mau". Wide World of Sports. nineMSN. Australian Associated Press. 22 December 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  11. "Field Goal from Jamie Soward Hands St George Illawara a 15-14 Win over Newcastle Knights in NRL Opener". Foxsports.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  12. Warren, Adrian (21 April 2013). "Tonga smash Samoa 36-4 in rugby league test". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  13. "Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. Bauer Media. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  14. "Samoa beat Fiji to secure Four Nations spot". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  15. "Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad". NRL.com. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  16. "Toa Samoa name Four Nations squad | NRL". Zero Tackle. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  17. Balym, Todd (2 May 2015). "Video: Sam Kasiano try-saving tackle on Jorge Taufua secures Pacific Test win for Samoan against Tonga". Fox Sports. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  18. "Leeson Ah Mau and Mike Cooper sign extensions with Dragons". Daily Telegraph. News Corp. Australian Associated Press. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  19. "Ah Mau re-signs with Dragons". Zero Tackle. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  20. "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  21. "Samoa triumph over Tonga in brutal affair". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  22. "Brilliant Bati comeback steals Pacific Test win". NRL.com. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  23. "Ah Mau named for Toa Samoa's RLWC tilt". St George Illawarra Dragons. 6 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  24. "Dragons prop Leeson Ah Mau signs three-year deal with Warriors". Sporting News. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
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