Kallum Watkins on new Leeds Rhinos contract, playing in Las Vegas and tough test against St Helens

After a five-year stint at Salford Red Devils came to a messy ending, Leeds Rhinos snapped at the chance to sign up their former player Kallum Watkins, in a move that has proved to be brilliant value for both player and club. 

Despite playing just seven matches in the blue and amber, Watkins stand out performances have already earned him a new deal, which will see him stay at AMT Headingley until the end of the 2026 season. 

The 34-year-old, who made his 400th career appearance in last weekend’s victory over Warrington Wolves, spoke to the Rhinos media channels about the new contract, as well as the Rhinos’ trip to Vegas next year, and this weekend’s fixture against St Helens. 

Watkins played for Leeds from 2008-2019, emerging victorious in three Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge. 

A move to NRL side Gold Coast Titans came after his time in West Yorkshire, but injury plagued his impact. 

In 2020, he initially signed for Toronto Wolfpack, but their withdrawal as a Super League club saw him move to his hometown of Salford, where he would don the Red Devils’ jersey 96 times. 

Now, he is back where it all started, and is enjoying his return. 

Watkins said: “Things have gone pretty good and pretty swiftly. The boys and the staff have made me feel so comfortable. I know a lot of people at the ground, the staff who work at the stadium and they have treated myself and my family well, as they always have done.” 

Leeds Rhinos man gives Las Vegas verdict after signing new deal

There was always a chance that an unsuccessful return could perhaps tarnish an already stellar career at Leeds, but Watkins assured fans that won’t be the case.  

“That was probably the little thing that hit me in the back of my mind before coming here. Me wanting to come here and do well. “I’ve had to change my game a little bit from last time I was here, I’m pretty much a different player, but I’ve always had that strong work ethic.”

He added: “being given another opportunity to come here was something I didn’t think would happen, but when that opportunity came I took it with both hands… To come back and play how we’ve been playing has been amazing.” 

Leeds Rhinos will face off against Hull KR in Las Vegas next year, something that Watkins and all the Leeds squad are looking forward to. 

“It’s an amazing opportunity for the club, but also for Super League as well. Warrington and Wigan did an amazing job last year and produced a nice little game there, and we will do the same with Hull KR.”

He continued: “Hull have been outstanding over the last few years, and they’ve won the Challenge Cup this year. We’ll be looking to try and get an opportunity to win some silverware this year and then hopefully it leads on to a bit of a rivalry with KR and we take that to Vegas.” 

The Rhinos face St Helens this week in the Betfred Super League, a clash that always means that little bit more. 

Watkins said: “They’ll be determined. They’re a top, physical side and especially at home they will want to start the game real hard and physical so we’ve got to match that and bring in more physicality than what we have been doing the last few weeks.” 

“We’ve set the standard, we’ve got to back it up now. It’s a short turnaround for us and Saints, we’ve got to keep improving what we are doing, and we’ll prep as best as possible.”