This story was first published on Sunday August 27
It was a tough couple of days in Auckland for the Penrith Panthers after they were hammered 36-16 by the Warriors on Friday night.
Though Auckland-born forward Moses Leota did provide a silver lining for the western Sydney team, which has struggled in recent times, as he used the trip home to surprise his mum with a new car.
In the heart-warming video which was posted by the Panthers , Leota’s mum walks out on to the front steps of her home when Moses, who is of Samoan descent, pulls out a set of keys and says “your new car”.
The surprise prompts Leota’s mum to cry with joy, with mother and son enjoying a teary hug.
“Shot uce,” someone can be heard saying to Leota.
"Our trip to Auckland was a memorable one for Moses Leota and his mum. Love your work Moses!," Panthers wrote on Twitter.
"Not bad for a kid whose Panthers journey began while living in a caravan out the back of his cousin's place in Mt Druitt, washing cars at Annlyn Motors for coin and sending money home to his family in NZ," they added.
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