Joe Lavery – a member of the first New Zealand touring side – was the first import to join Leeds, making his debut in 1907. Since then, players from Australia, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands and France have followed his footsteps to AMT Headingley. Every Rhinos squad of the summer era, which began in 1996, has included its own quota of overseas recruits, with varying degrees of success. Here, in reverse order, is the YEP’s list of the 21 best foreign players to feature for Leeds in Super League.
7. Matt Adamson (16th)
An Australian second-rower, Adamson played 72 times for Leeds in three seasons from 2002, scoring nine tries, but was dropped for the 2004 Grand Final. Photo: Steve Riding
8. Richie Blackmore (15th)
A former Castleford Tigers player, the Kiwi centre was a big-name signing for Leeds when Paul Caddick and Gary Hetherington took over the club in 1996. He was a Challenge Cup final winner in 1999, a year after scoring Super League’s first Grand Final try, one of his 29 touchdowns in 78 appearances. Photo: James Hardisty
9. Brad Godden (14th)
Scorer of 19 tries in 52 games for Rhinos, the Australian centre helped Leeds reach the Grand Final in his debut 1998 season and was a Challenge Cup winner the following year, his last at the club. Photo: Steve Riding
10. Marc Glanville (13th)
A hard-as-nails back-rower, the Australian made 52 appearances over two seasons with Leeds and helped transform them from also-rans into a top side, playing in the 1998 Grand Final and winning the Challenge Cup the following season. Photo: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
11. Marcus Bai (12th)
The first Papua New Guinean to play for Leeds, the former Melbourne Storm winger was a Super League winner in 2004 and played in the following year’s World Club Challenge victory, scoring an impressive 45 tries in 63 games during two seasons at Rhinos. Photo: Steve Riding
12. Dave Furner (11th)
His later spell as coach at Leeds was short-lived, but the Australian back-rower, signed from Wigan, had an outstanding two seasons at the end of his playing career. He played 52 times, his last game being the 2004 Grand Final triumph. Photo: Steve Riding