Leeds Rhinos facing Matt Frawley call as Jackson Hastings linked

Former Jackson Hastings has been linked to Leeds Rhinos with speculation mounting over a possible mid-season scrum-half switch.

Matt Frawley was omitted from Friday night’s 20-14 home loss to Hull KR once more as Brad Arthur chose to go with 20-year-old Jack Sinfield as a starting half-back alongside Jake Connor. Frawley missed one game last month due to concussion protocols, but that lay-off has turned into three games out of the side for the Australian with Connor being paired with stand-off Brodie Croft.

Frawley returned after Croft suffered a hamstring injury against Warrington Wolves a month ago, but his omission this week raises questions over his place in the squad going forward, with Connor now established in the halves and Croft likely to return within the next couple of matches.

The scrum-half is out of contract at the end of this season and with a new deal looking unlikely, Leeds may be prepared to let him leave early if another club comes in for him. Injury-hit Huddersfield Giants, who Frawley played for in 2019, could be one possible destination, however Rhinos are facing an anxious wait for the results of Monday’s match review panel, following Sinfield’s yellow card for high contact with a shoulder against Hull KR.

Leeds Rhinos linked with Jackson Hastings

Love Rugby League have linked Rhinos with a move for Hastings, who is out of favour at Newcastle Knights and could be available for an immediate move. Rhinos have a close connection to the 29-year-old through sporting director Ian Blease, who was chief executive at Salford Red Devils when Hastings signed there in 2018. He was Man of Steel the following year before signing for Wigan Warriors – after Leeds failed in a bid to bring him to AMT Headingley.

Hastings has been back in the NRL since 2022, initially with Wests Tigers and is understood to be keen for a return to Europe. Though Leeds see Sinfield as a long-term half-back option, they could seek an experienced replacement for Frawley, particularly with Croft – who is out of contract at the end of next year – being persistently linked with a return to the NRL.