Former Leeds Rhinos man makes shock transfer

Former Leeds Rhinos hooker Sam Hallas has again re joined Bradford Bulls after leaving them twice in recent years for Newcastle Thunder and Hunslet.

The 26-year-old returns to his boyhood club for a third spell, having signed permanently from Leeds Rhinos in 2017 and a brief stint in 2022.

Hallas, who provides vast experience and versatility, becomes the 18th member of our 2024 squad following the recent signing of Will Oakes.

Sam reunites with incoming head coach Eamon O’Carroll, who he played under at Newcastle Thunder in 2021, and who he believes gets the best out of him on the field.

“It is a massive privilege [to be coming back], it is something I am really looking forward to. I have left a couple of times for a full time opportunity and for an opportunity in Australia which unfortunately didn’t arise but I am really excited to play for Bradford again and to play under Freddy [Eamon O’Carroll] again,” said Hallas.

“Bradford is a massive club, really close to my heart, I love the club and have been to watch a few times this year great to see them doing well, as a Bradford fan you want them winning.

“I had Eamon at Newcastle, he was best coach I have played under, as a bloke and as a coach with his attention to detail its fantastic, I was playing my best rugby and I was in the best nick under him. He is someone I really enjoy playing for and to get the chance to do that again is something that really excites me.

“There is a sense of unfinished business, I want to win things, I want to get promoted and make even more memories like I have in parts at Bradford.

“I love the club and I want to see it do as well as it can. There is a real good squad being put together, it could be the most competitive squad I have been involved with at Bradford and that will help me, I will go to work every day and try cement my place in the team as it is full of quality.

“This time around it is even more exciting for me, it is a different scenario to what I have come into before, I will work really hard to play my best rugby like I was for Eamon at Newcastle and secure my place in the squad. Fingers crossed the club goes up this year but if not the next, I will give 100% as I do every single week, the club means everything to me.

Incoming Bradford Bulls Head Coach Eamon O’Carroll said:

“We are really happy to be able to bring Sam back to the club.

“I’ve been lucky enough to work with Sam in the past, he has great leadership qualities, works hard, drives standards and after a number of conversations he made it clear he has a real passion to help our club be successful.

“I’m confident the playing group, staff and fans will be pleased with this news. We are a great fit for Sam and we look forward to welcoming him and his family back to the club.”