Leeds Rhinos boss confirms contract extension for key man as talks ongoing over club legend’s future

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed one first-choice player is staying at the club, but the future of another remains undecided.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference today (Wednesday) ahead of Friday’s top-two derby at Wakefield Trinity, coach Brad Arthur said a contract clause has been activated keeping second-rower Chris Hankinson at Rhinos next year.

Hankinson joined Leeds from Salford Red Devils last August on a deal until the end of the campaign, and signed a new 12-month contract in pre-season, which included an option for 2027.

The Hankinson decision leaves 38-year-old winger Ryan Hall as the only senior player whose contract status for next year hasn’t been confirmed.

Arthur said: “Bleasey [sporting director Ian Blease] is in on-going conversations with Hally at the moment. Hally has been out injured so they will come to a decision on that sooner or later.”

Rhinos this week announced forward Kallum Watkins has signed a contract extension for 2027 and Arthur reckons the 35-year-old could play on after that.

“He’s the sort of person we want to have around the club long-term,” Arthur stated.

“He’s happy to do it a year at a time to see how his body goes, and he will make a decision on when he’s done.

“At the moment he is still playing well, he still contributes every week, we can still get big minutes out of him, he is still playing physical, and his leadership quality is only getting better.”

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Leeds Rhinos boss offers injury update ahead of Wakefield Trinity trip

Hall and captain Ash Handley have both returned to Rhinos’ initial squad for Friday and outside-back Alfie Edgell is in contention after missing last week’s win against Toulouse with a hamstring problem.

Hall has been sidelined for exactly a month because of a foot injury and Arthur insisted: “Alfie is a good chance, he will train today.

“Hally is close, but probably not until next week. We will give him every opportunity with training today, but I think Alfie is more of a chance than Hally.”

Handley has missed three matches since having his appendix removed, and Arthur added: “He has got to get through training today, but he trained well on Monday and he should be right to play.

“It is good to have our captain back. We probably missed a touch of his leadership against Castleford [a 34-32 defeat three weeks ago], but I thought the boys responded really well without him last week.

“His overall leadership will be handy for us and also every time he touches the ball he’s a threat and he is very, very good defensively with his decision-making.”

Hooker Danny Levi will have a scan on his neck injury in 10 days’ time and could be back in contention the following week.

“He is feeling good and feeling ready and he wants to play, but we have got to make sure we tick all the boxes first,” Arthur said.