Leeds Rhinos have confirmed an interest in the NRL-based brother of one of Wakefield Trinity’s star players.

Rhinos are looking at Cronulla Sharks prop Braden Uele as a possible replacement for England front-rower Mikolaj Oledzki who will join Perth Bears next season. Other clubs are also chasing the Auckland-born 31-year-old who has been capped by both New Zealand and Samoa and is older brother of Wakefield pack ace Caleb Hamlin-Uele.

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Uele began his career at North Queensland Cowboys, playing once in the southern hemisphere’s elite NRL in 2017. He joined Cronulla the following year and has gone on to make 134 appearances, scoring 17 tries.

Leeds Rhinos target Braden Uele (with ball) in action for Cronulla Sharks against Canterbury Bulldogs last season. Picture by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images.

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos target Braden Uele (with ball) in action for Cronulla Sharks against Canterbury Bulldogs last season. Picture by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images.

Speaking at his weekly press conference today (Thursday) ahead of Sunday’s home derby against Bradford Bulls, Rhinos coach Brad Arthur said: “I have had a conversation with him and Bleasey [Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease] has been back and forth with his manager. It is with Bleasey and his manager at the moment.”

Uele, who dropped Hamlin from his name at the start of this season, has featured twice for Sharks this year, both as a substitute.