Leeson Ah Mau
Encyclopedia
Leeson Ah Mau is a New Zealand
rugby league
player in the National Rugby League
(NRL). He is signed to play for the St George Illawarra Dragons
in 2012, having previously played in the NRL for the North Queensland Cowboys
and the New Zealand Warriors
. He is a forward. He is the brother of Isaak Ah Mau
.
and started his rugby league career with the Papatoetoe Panthers. He later moved to Otahuhu
and played 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.
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. He finished his Toyota Cup career with 40 appearances, 9 tries and 1 goal.
He made his first grade
debut for the Warriors in their 2009 Round One match against the Parramatta Eels
. 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.
on 3 April 2010 against the Gold Coast Titans
. He went on to be named the Cowboys' rookie of the year for the 2010 season, having made 18 first-grade appearances. He played in a further 15 NRL matches in the 2011 season, 12 of which were as an interchange player. His brother Isaak made five appearances for the Cowboys over the same two seasons.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(NRL). He is signed to play for the St George Illawarra Dragons
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
in 2012, having previously played in the NRL for the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
and the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
. He is a forward. He is the brother of Isaak Ah Mau
Isaak Ah Mau
Isaak Ah Mau is a rugby league player who played for the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League . He plays in the front-row. He is the brother of Leeson Ah Mau....
.
Early years
Ah Mau was educated at De La Salle CollegeDe La Salle College, Mangere East
De La Salle College is an integrated Catholic secondary boys' school Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1953 by the De La Salle Brothers, it continues to educate young men in the Catholic faith and Christian values. Students are encouraged to develop every aspect of their person and a strong...
and started his rugby league career with the Papatoetoe Panthers. He later moved to Otahuhu
Otahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
and played in Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
competitions. As a member of Otahuhu, Ah Mau played for the Tamaki Titans in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
.
Ah Mau played for the Junior Kiwis
Junior Kiwis
The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...
in 2006 and the New Zealand under-18 side in 2007.
New Zealand Warriors
Ah Mau was signed to a developmental contract with the WarriorsNew Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
in 2007. During his first year with the club he played 18 games in the NSWRL Premier League
NSWRL Premier League
The New South Wales Cup is a rugby league competition for clubs in New South Wales previously known as the NSWRL Premier League. It has a history dating back to the NSWRFL's origins in 1908, starting off as a reserve grade competition. It is now the premier open age competition in the state...
for the Auckland Lions
Auckland Lions
The Auckland Lions were a rugby league club that had teams in both the New Zealand Bartercard Cup and the NSWRL Premier League. They were mostly based around the Mt Albert Lions Rugby League club...
. In 2008 he played in the inaugural season of the Toyota Cup, making 22 appearances for the Junior Warriors. He finished his Toyota Cup career with 40 appearances, 9 tries and 1 goal.
He made his first grade
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
debut for the Warriors in their 2009 Round One match against the Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
. 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.
North Queensland Cowboys
Leeson made his first grade debut for the North Queensland CowboysNorth Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
on 3 April 2010 against the Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
. He went on to be named the Cowboys' rookie of the year for the 2010 season, having made 18 first-grade appearances. He played in a further 15 NRL matches in the 2011 season, 12 of which were as an interchange player. His brother Isaak made five appearances for the Cowboys over the same two seasons.