Leeds Rhinos coach reveals overseas recruitment plans with clear hint on off-contract star’s future

Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur has outlined his plans for their vacant quota spots, providing a hint on off-contract winger David Fusitu’a’s future in the process with an admission on a missed transfer target.

The Rhinos are currently full on quota spots, but Papua New Guinean star Rhyse Martin is joining Hull KR at the end of the year, so one of their seven overseas spots will definitely open up ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Fusitu’a, whose time at Headingley has been blighted by injury, also remains off-contract with just three rounds of the 2024 season remaining.

And though he didn’t go as far as confirming that the winger’s time with the club is up, boss Arthur did make clear that they would have two quota spots available ahead of 2025, admitting they want to bring in an outside-back.

Accordingly, Fusitu’a – who has scored just three tries in 10 appearances so far this season – is likely to be let go.

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Leeds Rhinos coach details quota spot ambitions with hint dropped on off-contract star’s future

Arthur’s side host Hull FC at Headingley on Friday night, the club who have signed Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana from 2025.

FC are yet to officially confirm that move, but everyone in the game knows now, including Arthur, who admitted he was a player of interest to Leeds.

The Australian chief said: “He (Rapana) has signed for Hull FC, I’ve heard.

“I never had a conversation with him, but we’re getting thrown a lot of player options and he was someone that we had some interest in.”

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‘We definitely want to help the boys by boosting the squad’

Sam Lisone, Matt Frawley, Paul Momirovski (all 2025), Lachlan Miller and Brodie Croft (both 2026) occupy five of the club’s quota spots heading into next year.

And detailing how he hopes the two quota spots can be filled, Arthur revealed: “We’ve got two quota spots we’re looking at.

“I want to make sure whatever players we bring in are better than the players that we’ve got, they can do their job and make a difference to the team.

“It’s not so much a winger (we’re after), but another quality outside-back would keep everyone honest and to have competition for spots would be handy.

“A big strong, front-rower who can get out some good minutes would be ideal as well.

“We definitely want to help the boys by boosting the squad. We have two quota spots left and we just need to make sure that we fill them with players that are worthy of joining our team.”

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