Derek Beaumont certainly set pulses racing among the Leigh Leopards fanbase last week when provided an insight into the club’s recruitment for 2025.
Leigh have already secured the signings of David Armstrong and Bailey Hodgson for next season as they look to add young and hungry talent to their first team squad. However, it seems the work is already well underway to add more names to Adrian Lam’s side as they look to build on this season.
In comments published on the club’s own website, Beaumont confirmed the club had signed a number of UK based players, while the owner also revealed that three NRL players have committed to the club for next season.
With that in mind, we take a look at who those overseas players could potentially be.
Isaac Liu
Leigh have long been linked with a move for Liu, who has been released by Gold Coast Titans and looks set for a move to Super League. Serious About RL understands, as reported elsewhere, that the club have been keen on the New Zealand international, with the Leopards looking to replace the outgoing John Asiata.
Liu is an NRL Premiership winner, having claimed two titles with Sydney Roosters, where he made 203 appearances before moving on to join Gold Coast in 2022. He has spent three seasons with the Titans, making 69 appearances. He’ll arrive in Super League with plenty of experience then and the Leopards will be keen to see the loose-forward play a leading role, should he make the move to the Leigh Sports Village as expected.
Tesi Niu
According to Sky Sports, Niu is expected to make the move to England at the end of the season and Leigh could be his destination. The Tonga international seems to fit the mould, given he is just 23 and still someway short of his peak years as player, which can be said of Armstrong and Hodgson, too.
The Dolphins man showcased his potential when he emerged through the ranks at Brisbane Broncos but his NRL career hasn’t quite managed to catch fire just yet. As such, it seems a move to Super League could be on the cards with the outside back looking to find continuity and traction in his career.
Tanah Boyd
Serious About RL understands that Leigh have shown an interest in the half-back who has been offered to Super League clubs ahead of the 2025 season. Boyd is contracted to the Titans for another season, but he has fallen out of favour in Queensland and could be on his way to Super League.
Leigh already have a full-back in the shape of David Armstrong coming in and a half-back would certainly make sense if Matt Moylan were to retire, as has been rumoured, or the club want an upgrade on Gareth O’Brien. Boyd is 24-years-old and has made 69 appearances for the Titans over the last six seasons, of which just nine have come this time around.
