Spencer Leniu is reportedly set to join Parramatta on a four-year deal, after the prop helped the Roosters win the 2026 NRL grand final in what is expected to be his last game for the club. Neither club has officially announced the move.
Zero Tackle reported on Monday 5 October that News Corp was reporting the deal is done, with the Roosters and Eels agreeing not to announce it until after the season so it would not disrupt the Tricolours’ premiership push. The report said a four-year deal through to the end of 2030 was likely to be agreed.
Fox Sports also cited CODE Sports in reporting that Leniu is set to sign a four-year deal with Parramatta, despite having a year left on his Roosters contract. Neither the clubs nor Leniu had publicly confirmed the move at the time of writing.
A grand final cameo to remember
Leniu came off the bench in the Roosters’ 19-18 win over Newcastle on Sunday 4 October, a week after he was an unused interchange player in the preliminary final against the Dolphins. He ran 93 metres from seven carries in about 25 minutes, Fox Sports reported, in a game he might not have played had Connor Watson not been ruled out with concussion.
“Geez, we needed it. It’s why we signed Spenny, it’s why he played Origin here. No one bends the line like him when he decides he’s going to bend the line. We needed it in bucketloads. It was really fortunate he did,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said after the match, as quoted by Fox Sports.
‘Forever indebted’
The win gave the 26-year-old a fourth premiership after three with Penrith. The Sydney Morning Herald reported Leniu accepts the decider was most likely his last game for the Roosters, and he spoke warmly of the club on the presentation stage.
“I’m forever indebted to this club; it tells you who your true friends are when you’re at your lowest point,” Leniu said.
“It’s such a special club, and I would encourage anyone who’s wanting to come here to come experience it because it’s second to none.”
What it means for the Eels
At Parramatta, Leniu would join a front row that includes the returning J’maine Hopgood, with the club still negotiating with Junior Paulo and Jack Williams likely to continue at lock, according to Zero Tackle. He would also reunite with former Penrith teammate Jarome Luai, who has agreed to a one-year deal with the Eels, Zero Tackle reported in September.
The move would add another experienced forward to Jason Ryles’ squad as the Eels look to climb the ladder in 2027.
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