“I am ready to go” – David Fusitu’a speaks for the first time since NRL links

Recently, the Mole of Wide World of Sports has claimed that Leeds Rhinos star David Fusitu’a was unhappy at Leeds and wanted another crack at the NRL if the Rhinos are willing to let him go.

The winger has one year left on his deal at Headingley and the Rhinos have several wingers now contracted to the club.

There is of course star Ash Handley, new recruits Derrell Olpherts and Luis Roberts. Liam Tindall is also an option as is new centre Nene MacDonald with Rohan Smith saying he has played his best rugby on the wing despite wearing the number four shirt in 2023.

Thus, it wouldn’t be such a problem for Leeds but it seems unlikely with Fusitu’a helping convince Sam Lisone to come to the club for 2023 in the first place.

He may have only made 14 appearances in 2022 but they were standout ones for the most part.

Leeds fans can expect to see him in the blue and amber again in 2023 after the Mole confirmed that Fusitu’a would be seeing out the rest of his deal at Headingley and he is set to play centre for Leeds tomorrow against Hull KR in a pre-season friendly ahead of the 2023 Super League season and the outside back is excited for it as he told the club’s YouTube channel as he seemed to convey his happiness to be at Headingley:

“I’m really looking forward to it. I haven’t played for a while so it will be good to see where I am at and blow the cobwebs away.

“It’s really important for us, pre-season is a pretty long time before you get to play so it is important to get a hit out before the season starts.

“They have a few new recruits in their squad, it will be a good hit out for us and our team.

“I feel good, I am ready to go. I feel this is be a really good test for me.”

He also said he feels more prepared for this season than last:

“I feel like I am more prepared, last year I had to get settled in, new country and all that jazz. I am happy to be here and can’t wait for the season to get started.”

Meanwhile, he of course opened up on his relationship with new recruit Lisone:

“He’s good to have around, he’s integrated quite easily. He’s that kind of personality, it’s good to have him hear, he’s chewing my ear off every day.”

He also said he is keen to avoid injury in 2023:

“I am keen to get started in Round One and hit the ground running and stay injury free. Get my body into tip top shape before the game.”

Based on all of this, Fusitu’a isn’t thinking about the NRL at all and is happy at Headingley.