.jpg) Leonta in 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Johnny W. Leota | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 21 January 1984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Palmerston North, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 104 kg (16 st 5 lb; 229 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Liana Leota (wife) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Johnny Leota (born 21 January 1984) is a Samoan rugby union player who played for Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership. Leota was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand and made his international debut for Samoa in 2011; he has since won 20 caps. He previously played for Manawatu Turbos in the ITM Cup. Started in 2001, making the NZ Rugby League U17 tournament team and NZ secondary schools tournament team. From here he progress into the Hurricanes schools team which lead to him being put into the academy. Leota followed the rugby path with no success until 2004 where he made his debut for Manawatu Rugby before making his breakthrough season to the Highlanders super rugby squad after a stunning 2007 season. He was offered a contract with the West Tigers in NRL 2007 but chose to go with the Highlanders.