Leigh Centurions are headed to Super League in 2023.
The Centurions stormed through the Championship losing just one league game before comprehensively beating Batley Bulldogs in the Championship Grand Final at Leigh Sports Village to secure their place in Super League.
They have star-studded squad and have already proven they can compete with Super League clubs pushing Hull KR far in the Challenge Cup.
However, naysayers have tipped Leigh for relegation, the fate that has befallen them the last three times they were promoted to Super League on the grounds that they will have to lose some of their overseas talent to fit under the Super League quota restrictions.
This is true, but reports are that the club have plenty of big British signings to announce which should sustain the quality of their roster.
Nonetheless, some overseas stars will need to go on to pastures new but based on the performances they all produced in 2022 will ensure they’re not short of suitors.
Rumours have it that one club is keen on a few Centurions is the Leeds Rhinos.
Reports have suggested that the Rhinos have already snapped up young former Swinton winger Luis Roberts as well as centre Nene MacDonald who was a try scoring machine for the Centurions in 2022.
MacDonald is expected to replace Liam Sutcliffe and many believe this signing is already secured which is why their is not salary cap space for Zak Hardaker at present.
This move, if confirmed, likely came about due to the fact the centre played under Leeds boss Rohan Smith at Norths Devils as did Leigh teammate Ben Nakubuwai.
The prop is formerly of Salford and Gold Coast and joined Leigh mid-way through 2022 and played in both their 1895 Cup Final win and Grand Final win often being a super sub for Lachlan Lam.
However, rumours have begun to circulate on social media about a potential move to Leeds Rhinos likely due to his links to Rohan Smith.
When speaking to Serious About Rugby League, the prop revealed that he wasn’t sure if there was any truth in the rumours revealing that his management is dealing with all negotiations.
“At this stage I’m still at Leigh,” he said, “My management is in charge of all my contract negotiations so at this stage I’m not too sure if there is any truth to those rumours.”
When he arrived at Leigh he only signed until the end of the current season but at present he expects to still be there in 2023 and is enjoying working with Adrian Lam: “I enjoyed being coached by him. He shows faith in his players. He keeps it simple doesn’t over complicate and I like the culture he created at leigh. He doesn’t just want good players but good people too.”
He also believes that the opportunities for what Leigh can achieve in 2023 in Super League are endless further suggesting he will be at Leigh Sports Village in 2023: “I believe the opportunities are endless of what we can achieve in 2023.”
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