James Fisher-Harris has questioned why NRL rivals dare running near his Penrith front-row partner Moses Leota after the Kiwi's big shots in the premiership win.
Api Koroisau claims Moses Leota should have been awarded the grand final's Clive Churchill Medal as Penrith question why rivals even bother running at their unheralded hitman.
Leota was brutal in the opening 20 minutes of Sunday night's NRL title decider, laying on big shots on Maika Sivo, Dylan Brown, Marata Niukore and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
His combination with James Fisher-Harris laid the platform for Penrith's 28-12 win, with Penrith beating the Eels through the middle before dominating them on the edges and across the park.
The 27-year-old Leota has become a mainstay for the Panthers in recent seasons, filling the gap left by James Tamou and Zane Tetevano when they left in 2020.
He even caught the attention of NSW State of Origin selectors last year but was deemed ineligible, before making his Kiwis Test debut this year and being named in New Zealand's World Cup squad on Sunday.
"I honestly would have given him the Clive (Churchill Medal) if it was up to me," Koroisau told reporters.
"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."
Making Leota's effort more remarkable was the fact he played with a sternum injury, after being hurt in last week's preliminary final win over South Sydney.
He put on several other big hits in that game, including one which rocked Latrell Mitchell early.
"Surely people know not to run at him anymore," front-row partner Fisher-Harris quipped to AAP.
"I don't know what they're trying to do. They kept running into him. Why do they?"
Leota is softly spoken and a man of few words, but admitted afterwards he loves nothing more than laying on big shots.
Contrary to Koroisau's claims, he was more placid than angry before kick off after engaging in 20 minutes of meditation.
"I just try and get my head in the right space," Leota said.
"I use a (phone) app. Whenever I am nervous or have anxiety, they have everything on there to help me.
"(Sunday)'s was about staying positive and focus. The one I took (before kick off) was just about breathing. It helps me stay calm."
Likewise, the 27-year-old found it hard to accept Koroisau's claims that he was best on field in the grand final.
"No no no. Dylan (Edwards) was well deserved (as winner of the Clive Churchill Medal). And he should have got the Dally M too. So big raps to him," Leota said.
"But our goal was for everyone to try and play their best. (For Api) to say that, it's humbling."
