Ian Blease, the sporting director for the Leeds Rhinos, has said that the team will make every effort to sign Sam Lisone to a new, competitive contract, but he acknowledges that wage limit restrictions may cause the Rhinos to lose the player to a rival, possibly Hull FC.
Since Lisone’s contract expires at the end of the current season, the Rhinos hope to retain him for the upcoming campaign, but it will be difficult to keep him under their salary ceiling.
Other Super League teams have expressed interest as a result, with Hull reportedly holding talks with the player and eager to sign him—possibly on a more lucrative contract—according to a story published by Hull Live on Monday.
But the quota position, which is currently full, presents its own challenges for the Black and Whites.
The club, who have already signed St Helens forward James Bell and kept Liam Knight for next season, will be able to make an offer for the Kiwi front-rower, though, since it is widely believed that foreign berths will increase to as many as 10 for 2026.
Hull is searching for an impact middle, and Lisone, who joined Leeds before the 2023 season, fits the bill.
The 31-year-old fulfils many requirements and is a highly sought-after player to complement players like Knight, Herman Ese’ese, and Harvie Hill, who joined from Wigan Warriors for the upcoming campaign.
Although Blease is well aware of Hull’s interest, he has acknowledged that Leeds may not be able to control Lisone’s destiny if they don’t find another way to free up cap space.
“We’re trying to hold onto Sam if we can,” he told the Yorkshire Post. I’ve talked to him and, although I am aware that he has been connected to a few teams, I hope we can work something out so he can remain here.
It is up to us to make that happen by making some availability on the cap, but we wouldn’t be the first team to lose a player because we couldn’t fit him in. We need to make some space for him.
Blease is also certain that if the proper deal were made, Lisone would agree to stay at the Rhinos.
“Sam is having a good season and is liked by the boys,” he continued. He has expressed his desire to accompany us to Vegas the following year. We’ll see what the upcoming weeks have in store.
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