Super League owner reveals situation with NRL clauses in star man’s contract

This weekend Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium will play host to a huge semi-final clash between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR after Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium is the backdrop for Leigh Leopards vs St Helens.

A huge semi-final between second and fourth in the table but no one would have expected Leigh to be in this semi-final let alone come into it against the Super League and World Champions St Helens above them in the league.

It has been a fairytale year for Leigh who could fulfil Derek Beaumont’s dream of leading them out at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final but there has been a distraction around skipper John Asiata being linked with an NRL move.

The loose-forward has been an exceptional signing since joining the club last year and has gone on to skipper the side.

He could even lead them to silverware they way things are currently going at the club which is truly amazing given he was playing in the Championship a year ago with the then Leigh Centurions.

According to the notorious Mole down under Asiata has attracted offers from three NRL clubs in recent weeks.

“There is one club in Queensland and two in New South Wales that are interested in John,” his manager Pierre Tannous told Wide World of Sports.

“His form in England has been very good but he feels it is time to come home.”

However, Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has firmly shut down these suggestions on social media saying:

“John is contracted and I wouldn’t accept a million quid for him. Anyone reading anything around players leaving I can guarantee you it will be nonsense as nobody is for sale!”

He also revealed that talks are on going between themselves and Asiata about extending:

“John going nowhere loves it at our club not for sale not for any price! Talking with John to extend certainly not leave!”

The Mole himself has stuck by the suggestion that Asiata will be leaving telling Beaumont to “remember” that Tweet when Asiata is playing in the NRL.

However, an NRL move would be difficult with Beaumont revealing no Leigh player has been allowed to have an NRL release clause which is useful for the Leopards.

No matter what happens, it is not what Leigh needed going into a semi-final with the Super League and World Champions.