Sporting director Ian Blease has revealed why Leeds Rhinos couldn’t match Hull FC’s offer for super sub Sam Lisone.
Blease also says Rhinos are “disappointed” by the decision to expand Betfred Super League’s overseas quota next year and probably won’t fill all 10 places.
Front-rower Lisone will join Hull in pre-season when his Rhinos contract ends and Blease confirmed they were keen to keep him.
“We were in talks with Sam’s management for a number of months,” he said. “He has got – I believe – a great deal from Hull.
“Brad [Arthur, Rhinos’ coach] and the backroom team worked really well with him in pre-season and I think that shows this year, but unfortunately he has decided to leave.
“He has given me his assurance he is going to give everything he has got for Rhinos for the rest of the year.”
Asked if there was anything he could have done to keep Lisone, Blease admitted: “Not really with the offer he has got, I guess.
“I don’t know too much about that, but certainly the term as well – they have made that decision to come in hard for him and we respect that, so best wishes to them.”
Explaining why Leeds couldn’t match Hull’s offer, Blease added: “There’s the salary cap we always have to be aware of.
“Every club’s in the same boat with that and then obviously we are looking to our youth pathway and programs and bringing players through those systems as well, so we have got a view on that longer term.
“It is great for the club to be in that position. It happens every year at this time, players move on and the club has to find other solutions in other areas, so that’s what we’ll be doing. [How Lisone is replaced] is something we’ll look at as a club.
“We have got options from within, but it’s big boots to fill. Sam has been a good player for us this year. We will look to see what our options are.”
Hull FC announce Sam Lisone deal as Leeds Rhinos man explains reason behind movehttps://t.co/d5GRSLqZU7
— Serious About Rugby League (@SeriousAboutRL) July 9, 2025
Leeds Rhinos chief on Super League quota changes
An increase in Super League’s overseas quota from seven foreign players to 10 from next year cleared the way for Hull to sign Lisone.
With Matt Frawley expected to leave this autumn and fellow Australian Ethan Clark-Wood also approaching the end of his deal, Rhinos could have up to five overseas spots available for 2026.
However, Blease insisted their priority remains bringing through young players from the club’s own system and he stressed: “I have listened to the reasoning behind it when it has been discussed in meetings. I don’t quite think we are on board with that decision.”
Blease stated: “We will probably just use our strategy for bringing home-grown players through. That’s what we want to do at this club.
“We probably won’t need the 10 going forward. I am not saying we won’t do it, we will always keep the options open, but I don’t think bringing it in for 2026 is the right call for the game. I am disappointed in that and I probably won’t be on my own in that.”
