Leeds Rhinos sign Huddersfield Giants man after injury blow

Leeds Rhinos have made a surprise loan signing from Super League rivals Huddersfield Giants with Elliot Wallis joining on a month-long deal. 

Former Hull KR and Castleford Tigers winger Wallis makes the move following a series of injuries in Leeds’ outside-backs.

The 24-year-old has trained with Brad Arthur’s side this week, but the club say he is not expected to feature in Saturday’s Magic Weekend game against St Helens in Newcastle.

Wallis scored seven tries in 17 games for Giants last season after joining them from Castleford on a four-year contract.

He played in Huddersfield’s opening two Super League games this year, but is out of favour and has not featured for them since February.

A product of City of Hull Academy, he scored two tries in four Super League games for home city club Hull KR in 2018 – when he was 17 – and had spells on loan with York Knights and Bradford Bulls as well as a stint at Coventry Bears.

After a spell out of rugby league – when he switched sports to boxing – he joined Tigers’ reserves in 2022 and was promoted to their first team squad the following year, crossing four times in 13 games, including a touchdown in their Magic Weekend win against Leeds at St James’ Park.

Ian Blease on Leeds Rhinos’ signing of Elliot Wallis

Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease said: “We are pleased to bring Elliot in on loan to give us cover in the outside-backs.

“He has trained with the squad this week and will likely play for our reserves next week as he looks to impress the coaching staff.”

Leeds’ veteran winger Ryan Hall sustained ankle damage during last Friday’s home loss to Hull KR and fellow recruit Maika Sivo won’t play in 2025 because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in pre-season.

Australian Ethan Clarke-Wood, signed following Sivo’s injury, is also on the casualty list, alongside home-grown rookies Max Simpson and Ned McCormack, leaving Rhinos short of cover for the centre and wing positions.

Leeds scrum-half Matt Frawley has been linked with a possible move, as reported by Serious About Rugby League, to Giants after being left out of the side for last week’s game.