Kruise Leeming has requested a release from Leeds Rhinos. The news, broken by Rugby League Live and later confirmed by Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith, shocked circles within the game on Thursday night with the hooker now set for a departure from the Super League club.
Naturally, that has led to speculation about his next destination with plenty of clubs far and wide already showing an interest. Rugby League Live understands that interest is on both sides of the globe, with both Super League and NRL outfits weighing up their options.
A high-profile release, Leeming’s decision has raised the eyebrows of many with a handful of NRL options already at his disposal. A short-term move similar to that of Zak Hardaker to Penrith Panthers in 2016 is the front-runner option, although there is every possibility the hooker could excel Down Under and extend any potential stay beyond this year.
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That is believed to be the player's preference with Super League clubs more financially restrained for the rest of this season given the constraints of the salary cap. Obviously, there will be plenty of suitors in the British game offering Leeming deals for 2024 and beyond with the hooker certainly not short on his points of call.
Without looking too deep it’s obvious the likes of Huddersfield, Hull FC, Wigan, and St Helens will be interested in a hooker for next season. Hull FC and St Helens in particular will be looking for new nines given their own situations with those out of contract and those retiring, and then there’s Huddersfield who have hefty ambitions and who have not been afraid to splash the cash in recent times, with Wigan's need for a nine reinforcement also apparent.
They are the most logical Super League choices and it’s our understanding that one of those clubs has already made contact with Leeming’s representatives about a move for 2024, and at a stretch, something sooner.
Obviously, two of those clubs mentioned have been linked with Brad Dwyer’s future but as has been our understanding all year, any talk of a signed and sealed move for the Hull dummy-half to join St Helens is wide of the mark. The hooker is open to an extension at Hull should the right deal present itself.
As for Kruise Leeming, there’s no doubting the interest he has swayed given his unexpected request for a release at the Rhinos with the 27-year-old expected now to try his luck in the NRL competition for the rest of 2023. What happens beyond this year, however, is very much a case of watch this space.
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