When the Panthers players were given 'call sign' nicknames ahead of the finals series, Moses Leota was labelled 'Tank' – for pretty obvious reasons.
One of the most consistent props in the game, Leota never let his teammates down over the course of the 2022 season. He was reliable every time he ran onto the field for the Panthers.
He totaled 18 NRL appearances in 2022, in which he averaged over 100 run metres and nearly 30 tackles a game.
Leota and James Fisher-Harris continued their formidable front row partnership for the Panthers, as well as linking up for New Zealand at the mid-year Test and Rugby League World Cup.
Fisher-Harris may have won the John Farragher Award for Courage and Determination, but when he accepted the award on stage, he declared that Leota should have been on stage instead.
Leota put together a Grand Final performance to remember, and was discussed as a contender for the Clive Churchill Medal. He made game-changing tackles and ran hard at every opportunity.
The best of Moses Leota in 2022
2022 ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2022 NRL Premiership winner
- First Test appearance for New Zealand against Samoa
- Rugby League World Cup appearance for New Zealand
GALLERY
All the best photos of Moses Leota from the 2022 season.
If you're viewing via the Panthers app, click here to see gallery.
STAT ATTACK
Appearances – 18
Tries – 1
Tackle breaks – 20
Running metres – 1844 (avg. 102)
Tackles made – 483
Tackle efficiency – 92.5%
BEST TRY
He only scored one in 2022 so it wasn’t hard to pick his best – although it was pretty decent nonetheless.
In Round 15 against the Warriors, Api Koroisau took off from dummy-half to link up with Leota, who stepped in to score the game’s opening try.
Moses breaks try-scoring drought
WHAT WAS SAID
Panthers teammates Api Koroisau and James Fisher-Harris heaped plenty of praise on Leota after the triumphant 2022 Grand Final.
I honestly would have given him the Clive Churchill Medal if it was up to me. I think someone said something bad to him before the game and he just went out looking for heads. I honestly think that he changed the game himself with his defence. He really deserves all the all the accolades that he gets.
Api Koroisau Panthers hooker
Surely people know not to run at him anymore. I don't know what they're trying to do. They kept running into him. Why do they?
James Fisher-Harris Panthers prop
SOCIAL SCENE
Leota has the opportunity of playing his first Test match for the Kiwis against Tonga earlier in the year – a proud moment for the New Zealand international.
