Ex-Super League star reportedly makes shock decision on his future

Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Hull KR have all completed major signings for 2024.

One of the more surprising ones was when Wigan drafted in Kruise Leeming, formerly of Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos.

Leeming made his name at Huddersfield before earning a big move to Leeds in 2020 helping them lift the Challenge Cup in his first season.

He was then named in the Super league Dream Team in 2021 and represented England in France before being named Leeds skipper but an injury and the form of Jarrod O’Connor prompted him to lose the captaincy and then seek an opportunity elsewhere joining Gold Coast Titans before a shock move to Wigan for next year.

Since his departure, Leeds have been rolling with Jarrod O’Connor and Corey Johnson.

However, Leeds have turned to another former Huddersfield Giants hooker in the shape of Samoan international and Canberra Raiders star Danny Levi.

These reports emerged last week and though there was also another Super League club in the race for the Samoan – Hull FC.

The Airlie Birds are set to lose Brad Dwyer to the Warrington Wolves at the end of the year. Dwyer of course arrived at the MKM Stadium from Leeds after he was left out of the Grand Final squad last year, with O’Connor and Leeming named instead of the livewire.

Dwyer is set to replace Daryl Clark who is expected to sign for St Helens to replace the retiring James Roby in 2024. So, it appeared Leeds and Hull FC are set to battle for Levi’s signature for the 2024 season.

“We’re not saying we’re going, but we’re not also saying we’re staying,” his agent Mario Tartak said. “He’s a wanted man overseas.

“He’s been to the Super League before and was very successful in a short time there and there’s a lot of clubs there that need a hooker.

“He is enjoying his time in Canberra, although we’re just weighing up options.”

Naturally these rumours were brought up this week in Leeds boss Rohan Smith’s press conference ahead of their defeat to Hull KR.

When asked about this by Smith said: “I’m not going to buy into any of the speculation. When or if there’s a signing, we’ll be excited to announce.”

Despite Smith remaining coy on the matter, Serious About Rugby League were told that there is “a high chance” of Leeds completing the move for Levi in the very near future.

The Rhinos were expected to land the number nine despite interest from Hull FC, with the Samoa international keen to sign on the dotted line at Headingley for the 2024 season over any other Super League club.

That being said, a spanner has now been thrown into the works by the Sydney Morning Herald in Australia.

They have reported that Canberra have re-signed Levi hoping to keep the hooker as competition for places within the squad.

This would mean he has backflipped out of the move to Super League and Headingley in particular.