Kruise Leeming completes NRL move after signing deal until end of season

Drew Darbyshire
Kruise Leeming Leeds Rhinos SWpix

Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix

Former Leeds hooker Kruise Leeming has completed his move to the NRL, signing a deal with Gold Coast Titans for the remainder of the season.

The 27-year-old hooker departed the Rhinos last month and had been strongly linked with a move to Justin Holbrook’s Titans for a couple of weeks.

Leeming has made 187 appearances in the English ranks for Huddersfield and Leeds since making his first team debut in 2013.

Holbrook said: “Kruise has runs on the board in the hooking role and has shown what he can do in the English competition for many years now.

“With Sam Verrills on the sidelines as he recovers from surgery, it was important that we had quality depth in the hooking role.

“Chris Randall has already done a fantastic job for us in the number nine jersey, but we need to make sure we’ve got depth in the role given it’s a key position.”

Kruise Leeming bids farewell to Leeds

The Eswatini-born dummy half shared a goodbye message to the Rhinos supporters via Instagram.

He posted: “I have loved playing for Leeds Rhinos and I am immensely proud to have captained the club to a Challenge Cup victory and the Grand Final last season.

“I have always given my absolute best for the club and that is why I am sad my time at the club has come to a premature end.

“To play at Headingley in front of the amazing support has been an honour and a privilege, I wish the team and the club every success, however, it is my understanding that this move suits the coaches wishes and I know this is how things go in professional sport.

“I have nothing but admiration for what Gary Hetherington has done at Leeds and would like to thank him, Kevin Sinfield, Richard Agar and Jamie Jones-Buchanan for making my time at the club so special.

“I look forward to meeting my new team-mates and a new challenge in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans.”

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