Five transfer targets for Leeds Rhinos as focus put on forwards

Leeds Rhinos have had an up-and-down 2024 season so far. They have proven themselves capable of competing with Super League’s top sides, by beating the Catalans Dragons. However, they have also fallen short at times, such as during their spectacular collapse against Huddersfield Giants.

One of the major criticisms of Rohan Smith’s side is that they lack power through the middle. With forwards James Bentley and Tom Holroyd ruled out for a prolonged period, the Rhinos often lack punch in the forwards.

Leeds Rhinos could also face a fight to keep hold of Tom Holroyd with reports emerging down under that South Sydney Rabbitohs are lining the prop up as a replacement for the outgoing Tom Burgess, the England international heading to Huddersfield Giants for 2025.

The recruitment window is now open following the May 1st deadline and Serious About Rugby League have identified five players that Leeds Rhinos could look to bring in for 2025 to address this problem.

Which forwards should Leeds Rhinos sign for 2025?

Tom Amone

Tom Amone is a man in demand, with several reports linking the Leigh Leopards man with a move to the NRL in the off-season. Amone has been a critical part of the Leopards’ success in recent years. At times this season he has carried their pack almost single-handedly when he has played, the prop missing some games through injury.

However, should a move to South Sydney Rabbitohs fail to materialise, Headingley may be the perfect destination for Amone. Leeds Rhinos need his size and power, and he would become the cornerstone of their pack. A forward line of Amone, Oledzki, Holroyd, Sangare and Lisone has variety and could set Leeds up for success in 2025.

Romain Navarrete

There is a growing French connection at Headingley. Mikael Goudemand and Justin Sangare are now regulars in the starting lineup. Romain Navarrete could be the next Frenchman through the door at Headingley.

Navarrette has played 10 times for the Catalans Dragons this year. He has formed an important part of their pack.  He has played in England before, during his two-year spell with the Wigan Warriors. He featured in Wigan’s 2018 Grand Final win over Warrington. He is vastly experienced and a French international.

Navarrete’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season. He could be a viable option for the Rhinos to bolster their front row.

Thomas Mikaele

6-foot 4-inch prop, Thomas Mikaele is no stranger to Super League. He enjoyed two spells at Warrington across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Mikaele had been due to return to the Wolves in 2024. But his proposed move fell through and he signed for North Queensland Cowboys.

Mikaele’s contract with the Cowboys is due to expire at the end of the current season. This means he is again available for a move. He has made just two appearances for the Cowboys this season. However, they have come in the Cowboys’ two most recent games. He has made six tackle breaks in just under 40 minutes of playing time and made 5 offloads in that time.

Should he find himself out of contract at the end of the season, he is exactly the sort of forward the Rhinos are missing.

Martin Taupau

Martin Taupau’s transfer to Leeds is one of the longest “will they, won’t they” stories in Rugby League. Taupau was first linked with Leeds back in 2015, after Leeds Rhinos played New Zealand in a friendly at Headingley. Rumours resurfaced in 2018, 2022 and 2023, as Taupau’s contract ran down. However, Taupau has always secured himself another NRL deal This scuppered any chance of a move to the UK.

Now, Taupau’s contract at the Brisbane Broncos is set to expire at the Brisbane Broncos. It could be the time for this long-distance courtship to come to fruition. Taupau, nicknamed Marty Kapow would certainly bring explosive power to the Leeds pack. He featured for Samoa in their run to the most recent Rugby League World Cup final. Taupau has played at the highest level.

At 34, this may be his last chance to make the move to Super League. The timing may finally be right for Taupau to make the move to Headingley.

Mike Cooper

Leeds’ current pack arguably lacks a real battle-hardened pack leader. Mikolai Oledzki is a quality player, but still only 25 years old. Justin Sangare and Tom Holroyd are both only at the beginning of their careers. Sam Lisone is very much an impact player.

Mike Cooper would bring the experience the Leeds pack currently lacks. Cooper is an England international and has had a long career, most notably with Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, as well as a spell in the NRL.

At 35, his age may count against him. However, his know-how could help add steel to a Leeds pack that lacks edge. Leeds would only need a short spell from Cooper. He could help turn a pack which has lots of promise into a dominant force in Super League.