Leeds Rhinos options assessed after Mikolaj Oledzki's Perth Bears move adds to NRL exodus
Interest in their players from NRL clubs is a complement to Leeds Rhinos, if an unwanted one.
Morgan Gannon - who joined New Zealand Warriors this season - and Perth Bears-bound Harry Newman and Mikolaj Oledzki all came through Rhinos’ academy system and everyone associated with their development should feel proud they are, or will be, at clubs in the world’s top rugby competition. That’s looking on the bright side.
On the other hand, there has been a big turnover of players in recent seasons and Rhinos are having to rebuild again, particularly in the pack. With James McDonnell also heading to Perth next year and Cameron Smith Wakefield Trinity-bound, there are some big boots to fill in the squad for 2027. And Oledzki’s exit, announced today (Tuesday), may be the final departure.
Australian stand-off Brodie Croft is out of contract at the end of this season and a potential target for Perth and possibly other NRL clubs. Croft has missed Rhinos’ past two games with a hamstring injury, but began the campaign in sparkling form and was outstanding in the Las Vegas victory against Hull KR, something sides Down Under will have taken close note of.
Home-grown six George Brown has been blooded this year and has a big future, but at 19 needs to be handled with care. The likes of Jack Bird and Chris Hankinson could fill in, but if Croft goes, an experienced, specialist replacement will be a must.
Rhinos brought in Ethan O’Neill during pre-season to replace Gannon and Bird, signed from Wests Tigers last month, can take Newman’s spot next year if he’s not needed elsewhere. Rhinos will also hope to have Max Simpson, who they think highly of, back from his long-term knee injury and there are other young centres knocking on the door, including Ned McCormack and the likes of Harley Thomas, Marcus Qareqare and Oscar Brown who have yet to get a taste of first team rugby.
Centre won’t be a recruitment priority, but Leeds are looking to replace second-row McDonnell and possibly loose-forward Smith. Keenan Palasia and Jarrod O’Connor can play at 13, Zak Lloyd is a back-row good prospect and Ben Littlewood is another emerging talent, but number 12 Kallum Watkins is now 35 and in the final year of his deal and they are getting short on experienced cover for both positions.
That process is on-going and sporting director Ian Blease has already spent time in Australia this year. Newman, McDonnell and Smith were in a different situation to Oledzki. While they are all in the final year of their contract, Oledzki’s runs until the end of 2028 and Leeds weren’t expecting to lose him.
He signed his latest deal in January last year and was set for a testimonial next season. However, the contract included an NRL get-out clause and - with a three-year offer on the table - Oledzki has taken that up. He has a year longer on his Perth terms than Newman and McDonnell, which will go some way to making up for losing his testimonial.
Rookies Tom Nicholson-Watton and Presley Cassell, who can both also play at 13, could fill the prop vacancy and Littlewood is another option, but once Oledzki goes he will take a huge chunk of Leeds’ front-row experience with him. The search therefore, will begin for at least one more big man in the middle of the field.
Apparently, recent signings, new deals and the upgrading of some youngsters mean Rhinos’ salary cap is still quite tight, so it’s not straightforward. Rhinos have recruited well since Blease and coach Brad Arthur arrived in 2024, but the pair will have to pull out the stops going into 2027 if Leeds are to remain competitive at the top end of the table.