Leeds Rhinos lose out on NRL target as international hooker signs new deal

Leeds Rhinos have lost out on reported NRL target Danny Levi after the Samoa international penned a new deal with current club Canberra Raiders. 

Leeds Live reported back in July that Rohan Smith was keen on bringing 26-year-old Levi back to Super League, having spent one season with Huddersfield Giants.

The hooker made 30 appearances for the John Smith’s Stadium outfit in 2022 but later returned to Australia on compassionate grounds with one year remaining on his contract.

He represented his heritage at last year’s delayed World Cup in England, only to cut his campaign short and return Down Under due to family reasons ahead of Samoa’s semi-final clash with Shaun Wane’s side at the Emirates Stadium.

Danny Levi re-signs with Canberra Raiders

The Rhinos are still searching for their replacement for hooker and former captain Kruise Leeming, who left the club just weeks into the season and secured a deal with the Gold Coast Titans for the 2023 NRL campaign.

Levi became a target at Headingley Stadium, but has today extended his deal with Canberra until the end of 2025.

He has been ruled out of the rest of the NRL season after suffering his second broken jaw of the year. Levi first broke his jaw in Round 3 against Cronulla Sharks, with some outlets suggesting the injury then was so bad that Raiders staff had to search the field for teeth that had flown out of his mouth.

Levi suffered the same injury featuring in the New South Wales Cup earlier this month.

To date, he has made 116 appearances in the NRL, scoring seven tries.

Meanwhile, England Knights representative Leeming will return to Super League next season after signing a four-year deal with Wigan Warriors from 2024.

He has made six appearances for the Titans, scoring once.

Highly-rated forward Sam Walters will join Leeming at the DW Stadium next season from Leeds Rhinos on a three-year deal, with Liam Tindall also set to exit Headingley Stadium.

Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer remain without contracts for 2024 and both look likely for exits. James Donaldson, James Bentley, Zane Tetevano and David Fusitu’a all off-contract at the end of the season.

The Rhinos have signed France international Mickael Goudemand on a two-year contract from Catalans Dragons from next season, while Justin Sangare recently signed a new deal until the end of 2025.

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