Quick Facts
LeoBiography
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (born 17 August 1995) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. A New Zealand national representative, he plays at fullback, wing and centre.
Background
Born in Hamilton, New Zealand, Watene-Zelezniak is of Māori, Tongan and Polish descent. Watene-Zelezniak lived in Ngaruawahia, before moving to Sydney, Australia as a 5-year old and played his junior rugby league for the St Clair Comets, before being signed by the Penrith Panthers. He attended Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown. Watene-Zelezniak is the great-grandson of former New Zealand rugby league captain and politician, Steve Watene. Watene-Zelezniak is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Playing career
In April 2013, Watene-Zelezniak re-signed with the Panthers on a 2-year contract. In 2013, Watene-Zelezniak played in the Panthers' 2013 NYC Grand Final 42-30 win over the New Zealand Warriors. In 2013, Watene-Zelezniak played for the New South Wales Under 18s team. In 2013, Watene-Zelezniak was selected to play for both the Australian Schoolboys team and Junior Kiwis team, he eventually chose to play for the Junior Kiwis.
2014
In 2014 Watene-Zelezniak moved on to play in the Panthers NSW Cup team before included in the Panthers first grade squad. In Round 5 of the 2014 NRL season, Watene-Zelezniak made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers against the Canberra Raiders, scoring 2 tries on debut in the Panthers 12-6 win at Penrith Stadium. Watene-Zelezniak finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 10 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Panthers in the 2014 NRL season. On 7 October 2014, Watene-Zelezniak's impressive late season form has seen him included to the New Zealand Kiwis 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations but was later ruled out from the squad after he suffered a foot injury at training.
2015
On 5 February, Watene-Zelezniak extended his contract with the Panthers from the end of 2015 to the end of 2016. On 28 April, he was ruled out to make his international debut for New Zealand in the 2015 Anzac Test after he was charged with a dangerous throw on Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks player Wade Graham, the suspension denying Watene-Zelezniak his New Zealand debut for the second time in 6-months. In Round 18 against the Sydney Roosters, he was ruled out for the rest of the 2015 season after suffering a collapsed lung during the Panthers' 24-4 loss at Penrith Stadium. He finished off the 2015 season having played in 16 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Panthers. On 10 November, he extended his contract with the Panthers from the end of 2016 to the end of 2017.
2016
In February, Watene-Zelezniak was named in the Panthers' 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad. On 6 May, he made his international debut for New Zealand against Australia in the 2016 Anzac Test.