13 players who could follow example of Leeds Rhinos star and make Super League switch

2022 was a huge year for a few players who made the move to Leigh Leopards, then Centurions.

Three stand out however as players who had limited NRL experience, played mostly for feeder teams, came and lit up the Championship and are now stars of the British game.

Caleb Aekins should be a Super League star but Leigh’s quota situation sees the top tier fullback take on a move to Featherstone Rovers where he could inspire them to promotion.

Kai O’Donnell is still at Leigh whilst Nene MacDonald reunites with his former Norths Devils boss Rohan Smith at Leeds Rhinos in 2023 in a huge move.

Right now there are over 20 players down under looking for a new club but many of them are similar unknowns with limited NRL experience, or none at all, like these three and any of them could be the next Aekins, O’Donnell or MacDonald.

Amongst them is Ireland’s World Cup hooker Joshua Cook, Fiji’s top notch halfback Brandon Wakeham, former Maori All Stars player Emery Pere, brother of two-time NRL Champion and the man who broke English hearts in the Rugby League World Cup Stephen Crichton, Christian Crichton.

Meanwhile, another Rohan Smith player, Brendan Frei who scores tries for fun despite playing in the pack is also available.

Here is a list of all 13 of the players who could follow the example of Leigh’s trio of 2022 signings and clicking their name will reveal their three most likely European destinations to see if your club could sign them:

Joshua Cook – Hooker
Reece Hoffman – Second-Row
Tuipulotu Katoa – Wing
Brandon Wakeham – Halfback
Brayden Musgrove – Wing
Kane Bradley – Wing
Tom Chester – Fullback
Brendan Frei – Second-Row
Emry Pere – Prop
Solomone Naiduki – Wing
Christian Crichton – Wing
Kurt Falls – Halfback
William Kei – Centre