“Bidding war” set to begin between three clubs for Kruise Leeming

The NRL has remerged as a likely destination for Leeds Rhinos hooker Kruise Leeming after the journey to Australia had initially stalled.

The hooker handed in a request to leave the club recently after a little over a three years at Headingley.

Leeming won the Challenge Cup with the Rhinos in 2020, was named in the 2021 Super League Dream Team and went on to represent England.

He also captained Leeds in the Grand Final in 2022 but started that game on the bench in an example of why Leeming is headed out of the club as he wants to start games and Jarrod O’Connor has forced his way into the starting 13.

The initial rumour was that he was headed to fellow Queensland club the North Queensland Cowboys.

Brian Carney of Sky Sports even suggested so. However, the Mole of Wide World of Sports has confirmed now that Leeming was offered to the Cowboys but they emphatically turned down the England international.

A Cowboys representative told the Mole: “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.”

It has since been reported by Leeds Live that Gold Coast Titans of the NRL had moved for Leeming but when Leeds coach Rohan Smith was asked about the news he said that as far as he was aware no move has been agreed.

He said: “As far as I am aware, no.”

However, now Fox League are reporting that a “bidding war” is set to begin for the Rhinos hooker with St George Illawarra Dragons and the unbeaten Brisbane Broncos also interested in the England international.