Joey Leilua has taken a clip at Michael Maguire on the way out of Wests Tigers, accusing the coach of only blaming his players at the battling club.
Leilua’s Tigers days were numbered midway through the year when he was dropped to reserve grade by Maguire after being exposed defensively.
The club then opted not to take up an option for a third year on his contract, leaving him without a deal for 2022 after just seven games in 2021.
Leilua on Tuesday angrily denied he had only been offered a train-and-trial deal by the Tigers, but also had a crack at Maguire in the same social media post.
“Btw (by the way) I wouldn’t play for someone that blames the team all the time! And not once himself #Madge,” Leilua posted on an Instagram story.
Maguire survived an end-of-season review into the club’s performances and will start the first season of a two-year extension in 2022.
It’s not the first time Leilua has hit out at an ex-coach.
He let rip at Ricky Stuart in similar fashion at the end of his previous tenure at Canberra, claiming he “couldn’t wait” to get out of the Raiders.
The 29-year-old also had a crack at Canberra consultant Michael Ennis via social media earlier this year after the former hooker accused the player of struggling to control his on-field emotions.
Leilua’s future remains unclear with a move to rugby union in the United States believed to be one option.
His brother Luciano remains at the Tigers.
AAP
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