Leeds Rhinos signing Keenan Palasia has revealed the ‘dream’ that Brad Arthur sold him ahead of signing for the Super League club whilst also making the bold claim that this squad is the fittest that he has ever been a part of.
Those comments from Palasia have come just a couple of weeks into pre-season with the Samoan international arguing that Leeds Rhinos’ fitness is right up there, if not above, the fitness levels of any NRL side that he has played for.
Palasia arrives alongside fellow overseas recruit Cooper Jenkins with the duo tasked with bulking up and bringing some physicality to a Leeds Rhinos pack that has failed to take control of games at times.
The former NRL Grand Finalist spoke to BBC West Yorkshire radio to explain his early days at the club and what exactly drew him to the Headingley club.
“It’s been good, they’re an easy bunch of boys to get along with”, Palasis explained, before noting something that almost all overseas signings do.
“The hardest thing to get used to is the weather but I’m here for two years and hopefully longer, so hopefully I’ll get used to that.”
Revealing why he swapped Gold Coast for West Yorkshire, Palasia explained: “I think it was to get out of my comfort zone really. Brad sold a dream to me and explained that the team is on the up, and they didn’t have as successful a season as they’d want but they’re building towards something better.”
Leeds Rhinos recruit highlights the biggest strength of the team
Speaking more on the training so far, Palasia explained that the hard-working mentality has highlighted just how fit Leeds Rhinos are with the Samoan claiming they’re among the fittest he’s been a part of.
He said: “Footy-wise, it’s a bunch of talented and hard-working boys. This is probably the fittest team that I’ve ever been a part of. Off the field, they’ve made me feel really welcome as well.
“In the NRL, I’ve been in teams near the bottom of the ladder and the top and compared to those teams, this is the fittest that I have been a part of.”
He also outlined those connections he has within the camp, revealing: “I’ve played with Brodie Croft back at Brisbane Broncos a few years ago. He’s been really good for my transition over here, so have Lachie Miller and Cooper Jenkins.”
Palasia could be set to run out in less than three weeks time on Boxing Day but he has already had a taste of Headingley, featuring for Samoa against England, something he recalled positively despite the defeat.
“It was good to get a run on that paddock, it’s one of the best that I’ve played on too. I noticed a lot of the boys from my team (Samoa) got booed but I got cheered so that was really welcoming.”
