Leeds Rhinos player Blake Austin has revealed that there was big interest from other Super League sides when he was put in the shop window by Warrington.
Austin, speaking on the Trot The Egg In podcast, clarified that returning to Australia was never on the cards after he was told he could look elsewhere following Daryl Powell’s appointment at Warrington.
The former Penrith and Canberra stand-off revealed that Powell “didn’t fancy him” and that prior to his departure to join Leeds ahead of last season, two other Super League clubs also came in.
“I met with Hull KR, at the time that was an option,” he revealed. “I was really impressed with Tony Smith and what he was selling about the club. Leeds probably came in a bit late. My manager told me Catalans came in two weeks after I’d signed at Leeds.”
Instead of going to KR and playing under Tony Smith, he ultimately went to Leeds where he now plays under Smith’s nephew, Rohan.
Austin reasons that when leaving the Wire he wanted to head to “another big club” which is what ultimately led to his decision as well as the huge fan base.
“You get there and want to impress the South Stand, it’s obviously a huge fan base, a rugby proud city,” he added.
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