Leeds Rhinos Brace for NRL Talent Drain Ahead of 2027 Start

Local TV Sport

Leeds Rhinos face growing pressure as NRL expansion tempts elite English talent abroad. While departures pose challenges, the club’s strong youth pathway and recruitment planning underline its ability to adapt and continue producing top-level players.

Transcript

00:00Leeds Rhinos are facing the prospect of losing more of their top players to the NRL with at

00:07least three former Rhinos already set to compete in the Southern Hemisphere next year.

00:13Perth Bears, the new Australian franchise, have secured second rower James McDonnell

00:18on a two-year deal beginning in 2027. Centre Harry Newman followed suit in December while

00:25back rower Morgan Gannon joined the New Zealand Warriors after his Leeds contract.

00:30Expired last season. Other English stars including Australian former Man of Steel Brodie Croft

00:36are believed to be on Perth's radar. With clauses allowing moves and contracts ending,

00:41players are free to negotiate and the lure of the NRL's elite competition and superior resources

00:47is hard to resist. This trend poses a broader challenge for Super League which is expanding

00:53from 12 to 14 teams. The NRL itself is set to grow to 19 sides by 2028 including new franchises in

01:01Perth and Papua New Guinea. For Super League clubs losing young rising stars like Gannon, Newman and

01:07McDonnell all in their early to mid-20s underscores the growing talent drain. McDonnell's departure may

01:14be a loss but it also opens doors for homegrown players highlighting that while the English Rugby

01:19League must address talent retention it continues to produce high quality stars capable of thriving on

01:27the world stage.

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