Leeds Rhinos news: coach Brad Arthur provides update as decision reached on transfer target Royce Hunt

An Australian media report earlier this month claimed Rhinos were “chasing” the Wests Tigers prop for next season and Arthur subsequently confirmed “some discussions” had taken place with the 2022 World Cup finalist. However, the 30-year-old Samoa international suffered a pectoral muscle injury last weekend which is expected to end his season and, speaking at his preview press conference today (Tuesday) ahead of Rhinos’ trip to Warrington Wolves in two days’ time, Arthur revealed Hunt is no longer a target.

“The talks with Royce have dropped off,” Arthur stated. “I think it happened before that [his injury].”

Five first-choice players - centre Harry Newman, stand-off Brodie Croft, prop Mikolaj Oledzki, second-row James McDonnell and loose-forward Cameron Smith - will leave Leeds at the end of this season and no new recruits for 2027 have been announced. Jack Bird arrived from Wests Tigers at the start of the current campaign as a long-term replacement for Newman and Rhinos will give home-grown youngster George Brown an opportunity to succeed Croft in the number six jersey.

A deal is understood to have been done to bring second-rower Morgan Gannon back to AMT Headingley after a season in the southern hemisphere with New Zealand Warriors, but Rhinos are searching for a middle-forward and Arthur previously said Hunt was one of “quite a few” players they have spoken to.