English club Leeds is considering making a move to sign rugby league’s most under-siege player, Tigers halfback Luke Brooks.
Brooks comes off contract at the end of the season and has yet to come to terms with the Tigers for a new deal.
The 28-year-old has struggled in the early rounds – but in fairness to him so have most of his teammates – as the Tigers sit winless at the bottom of the NRL ladder.
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There is strong mail coming out of the UK that Leeds may have a look at Brooks for next season.
The Rhinos’ halves pairing – Aussies Aiden Sezer and Blake Austin – are both coming off contract and the club may look in a different direction.
While Brooks has found the going tough in the NRL in recent seasons, the more open style of Super League may suit him.
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The Tigers are unlikely to stand in his way if he decides on a change of scenery as the move would free up a large slice of their salary cap – money they could throw towards the Eels’ Mitchell Moses.
Brooks is earning $1.1 million this year from the Tigers.
CONFUSION OVER COWBOYS REPORT
The Cowboys have emphatically denied reports that they are poised to sign talented Leeds hooker Kruise Leeming.
The 27-year-old Leeming, an England Knights international, parted ways with Leeds and several British tabloids declared he was all but a done deal at the Cowboys.
But I spoke to the Cowboys on Tuesday and a senior source told me, “He was offered to us, but we have two established hookers in Reece Robson and Jake Granville and no room in our top 30”.
“No way will he be coming here.”
Leeming’s manager is now believed to be sounding out several other NRL clubs.
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DEBUT LOOMS FOR GUN DOGS RECRUIT
The Bulldogs have signed a promising Fijian-born forward from the Tigers – effective immediately.
Kitione Kautoga, 20, played one NRL game for the Tigers late last season and looked the goods.
With the Dogs suffering several early-season injuries in the forwards, they made a bid for Kautoga and came up trumps.
The strongly-built youngster has signed a deal with the Dogs until the end of 2025 and could cause some heads to turn… soon.
“He could even play NRL at some stage this season,” Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould told Wide World of Sports.
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TITANS FEND OFF RIVALS TO SIGN TEEN
The Titans have had a victory in the transfer market, fending off bids from half a dozen clubs to secure the long-term signature of gun halfback Ryder Williams.
A shining star at renowned league nursery Keebra Park High School on the Gold Coast, Williams is only 17 but is turning plenty of heads.
Born in New Zealand, he’s the son of former Raiders forward Jason Williams.
He will sign an NRL contract when he turns 18 later this year and move into the Titans’ top grade squad in 2025 after signing a three-season deal.
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