In his debut first-grade season, Leis was selected to represent New South Wales in the 2nd state of residence game, and kept his place at for the inaugural State of Origin game in 1980. In the same year he was selected to tour New Zealand with the Australian national team although he did not play in a test, and earned two Dally M awards in 1980 for lock-forward of the year and rookie of the year. He retired after the 1987 season after eight seasons in first grade.
