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Penrith forward Moses Leota has vowed to continue the legacy set by close friend James Fisher-Harris when he departs the club following Sunday's grand final.

The prop shocked the league world when he announced he was moving to New Zealand and joining the Warriors next season after being granted a release from his contract on compassionate grounds. 

Leota, a teammate of nine years, was among the hardest hit and has slowly come to terms with the fact this is their last season together in Penrith. 

Sunday's decider against the Storm will mark their final game as Panthers teammates and Leota is eager to taste success one last time.

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"It's going to be tough to say goodbye," Leota told NRL.com. "When it first happened I was really gutted, now I'm just enjoying the moment and taking each day as it comes. I'm enjoying every moment before it ends.  

"Playing one more grand final together is really special and it's something we'll look back on when we retire. It'll be good to finish on a high."

While Sunday marks Leota and Fisher-Harris' last club game together, they are set to reunite with the Kiwis for the upcoming Pacific Championships.

Also joining the pair in Stacey Jones' squad will be Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes.

Kangaroos v Kiwis - Pacific Cup final, 2023

The playmaker played a key role in orchestrating the Kiwis' stunning 30-0 victory over Australia in last year's final and has carried that form into a dominant NRL season. 

Hughes was named the Dally M Medal winner on Wednesday night and is looking to lead the Storm past Penrith in Sunday's grand final. 

While Leota is excited to reunite with his close friend, his current focus is on shutting down the Melbourne halfback. 

"He was a massive part of our Pacific Championships victory," Leota said. "The way he led us around the park was incredible. 

"In every great team you have a great half. He did that for us, he's brought it into this year and had a killer season for the Storm."

Fisher-Harris' looming departure from the Panthers will see plenty of attention turn to Leota's role as the pack's leader. 

While Fisher-Harris carries the higher profile, those within the club recognise Leota is already playing a crucial role developing the emerging players within the squad.

Youngster Liam Henry revealed both players took him under their wing when he progressed into first grade and said Leota has already proven he's ready to lead the team forward. 

"Moses was always there as a leader," Henry told NRL.com. "Fish and Moses together are an incredible duo.

"All of us young fellas coming through already look up to Moses so I don't think it will be any different next year, he'll just keep doing what he's doing."

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The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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