The “very close relationship” which took NRL prop Sam Lisone to Leeds Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos have announced a major signing for the 2023 campaign with the addition of NRL prop Sam Lisone to the squad on a two-year deal.

He takes up Leeds’ last quota spot for 2023 and keeps the Rhinos pack some real power and bite as they look to go one step further next year than they did this season when they came up just short in the Super League Grand Final against St Helens.

Their Grand Final appearance, which came against the odds with Leeds second bottom in April, underlines the quality of Rohan Smith as a coach who has masterminded Leeds’ recent exciting recruitment which bodes well for next year and beyond.

Smith’s relationship with Lisone was the key to the move as well with Lisone revealing that the two have a very close relationship.

On signing for Leeds, he said: “Rohan and I had a very close relationship when he was at the Warriors and I worked closely with him and he helped me a lot with my game. I have always liked what he was about; the way he trains his teams. He gave me a call and, to be honest, we never stopped talking, when he told me there could be a position at Leeds for me, my heart was set on the move straight away. You only need to look at what he did at Leeds this year, taking the team into the Grand Final, to know how good he is.”

Another friendship also helped sway him to Headingley which you can read about here.