Leeds confirm signing of Ava Seumanufagai

Leeds have bolstered their forward pack with the signing of Ava Seumanufagai on a two-and-a-half-year contract from Cronulla.

The 27-year-old has made 118 appearances in the NRL for the Sharks and Wests Tigers.

Seumanufagai, who is from Wellington in New Zealand, joined the Sharks in 2018 after spending five seasons at the Tigers.

On signing Seumanufagai, Leeds director of rugby Kevin Sinfield said: “We are delighted to get the deal finally done to sign Ava.

“He is a player we have been monitoring for a while and it is good that we have secured him until the end of the 2021 season.

“Ava is a big player with a great work ethic. I would like to thank Cronulla Sharks for their help in getting the deal agreed and we look forward to welcoming Ava into our group once all the necessary paperwork has been completed.”

On his move to the Rhinos, Seumanufagai said: “I am really excited to be joining the Rhinos.

“I have been speaking to Kevin Sinfield for a while and I know a few blokes who have been over at Leeds and they have loved it at the club, so I am really looking forward to coming over.

“I like to play the game hard and aggressive, I like to get my job done and I enjoy the physical side of the game. I know the Rhinos have had a tough start to the new season but I have been in teams that have had tough starts before and I know how rewarding it is when you turn your season around and achieve something as a group.

“The Rhinos’ current form certainly wasn’t something that concerned me in terms of my long-term decision to come to the club. That is the challenge and I am looking forward to doing my job. Once the paperwork is completed I will be heading over and I am keen to get started as soon as I arrive.”