Leeds Rhinos forward linked with NRL return for 2024
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Leeds forward Sam Lisone has been linked with a potential return to Australia for 2024 following Georgia Hale’s move back to the Gold Coast Titans.
Kiwi Ferns star Hale, Lisone’s partner, will return to the NRLW to her former club for the 2023 season Down Under from Leeds.
The 27-year-old made her Women’s Super League debut against York Valkyrie after linking up with Lois Forsell’s side during the off-season.
She made the move to England alongside partner Lisone, who joined Rohan Smith’s squad on a two-year deal ahead of the 2023 campaign from the NRL.
Hale cited family reasons for her return, with her last game for the Rhinos set to take place during the double header against St Helens at Headingley Stadium on May 26.
She will then link up with the Titans who begin their pre-season on May 29.
In her statement, Hale reaffirmed that Lisone is committed to Leeds and his contract despite her return to Australia. However, Australian journalist ‘Moley’ has reported otherwise.
Sam Lisone linked with NRL return
Reports on the Wide World of Sports state that Lisone is ‘flirting’ with the prospect of a return to the Gold Coast Titans from Super League in 2024.
“Lisone has also reaffirmed his commitment to Leeds – but down the track, after six months apart from his beloved, don’t be surprised if the landscape changes,” Moley wrote.
The Samoa international prop forward featured across three seasons for the Titans from 2020 before making the switch to Super League. He made a total of 48 appearances for the side, scoring twice, while he made his NRL debut with the New Zealand Warriors in 2015.
Born in Auckland, Lisone made 85 appearances for the Warriors. He has also previously represented Samoa on four occasions as well as the NRL All Stars.
To date, he has only missed one game for the Rhinos in Super League in 2023, making a total of 11 appearances under head coach Smith.
READ NEXT: Leeds forward James Bentley ruled out of Challenge Cup tie
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app