Revealed: Which clubs are in for Kruise Leeming and which aren’t

Kruise Leeming is available to sign, that much is clear.

The former Leeds Rhinos captain and Dream Team member in 2021 has put in a request to leave the club.

Leeming joined the Rhinos from Huddersfield Giants in 2020 and helped the Rhinos win the Challenge Cup that season. He went on to be a key player in 2021 and was knocking on the door for England selection until he picked up a foot injury away at Hull FC last year.

That saw Jarrod O’Connor become Leeds’ starting number nine doing a brilliant job. Thus Leeming began to start off the bench as the season drew to a close and he made his return to the side.

This was a trend that returned in Round Three of this season against St Helens and two weeks later Leeming is set to leave the club.

According to reports down under, Leeming’s representatives have indeed reached out to NRL clubs.

However, there will be plenty of suitors in Super League as well.

But plenty of clubs have ruled themselves out of the running for Leeming’s signature.

Here’s a look at who won’t be signing Leeming:

Wigan Warriors
After defeating Leeming’s former club the Huddersfield Giants, it was put to Matt Peet about the prospects of Wigan signing the hooker.

Many Wigan fans have called on the club to sign a running nine to compliment Sam Powell. Powell didn’t play the full 80 against Huddersfield with Cade Cust spending some time in the role.

Brad O’Neill was 18th man.

When asked about signing Leeming, Peet simply said: “No.”

Huddersfield Giants
After the same game, Ian Watson ruled a Huddersfield return out for Leeming though branded him as a “great player.”

He said: “I don’t think Kruise will be one for us to be fair.

“He’s a great player, we have some great nines here. Nathan Peats, Adam O’Brien and Ash Golding drops in there as well.

“He is a great player and you would look at him if you could but I don’t think we need him at this moment in time.”

North Queensland Cowboys
Immediately after the news, Sky Sports’ Brian Carney reported that the expected destination for the Leeds hooker was NRL club North Queensland Cowboys.

However, speaking to Leeds Live, the club said: “Our club has never had a single conversation, internally or externally about the player in question.”

So which clubs are interested in Leeming?

Well Wakefield Trinity boss Mark Applegarth told BBC Sport West Yorkshire:

“It is a strange one and it came out of the blue.

“He is obviously a good player. I am sure he will be on everybody’s radar who has space.