Bodene Thompson has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will leave Leeds Rhinos at the end of the season after opening up about his desire to reunite his twins with family. The forward, off-contract at the end of the season, is in the country with his partner, sister and kids but has opened up about the heartache that has been caused through separation with the rest of his family.
Thompson has previously been coy on his future, admitting a stay in Super League and the UK could be an option. But in an interview with Now To Love magazine, 33-year-old Thompson and his partner, Kaea, confirmed they would be taking their family home to reunite with loved ones in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
"When we moved over here and had the kids, we never thought we'd not be able to come back," he said. "It's just us and my sister over here, and we want them to grow up with all of their family around them. Whether it's for good or not, we're not sure yet. But we're excited to come home!"
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It's a major clue dropped by Thompson to suggest he will be leaving the UK at the end of the year. Though he admitted that there was uncertainty about the length of the stay, the comments relating to his children growing up around family suggest a permanent stay could well be on the cards.
Speaking to Leeds Live earlier this year, Thompson said his decision would be decided by his partner. “I’ll see what my family situation is because we had twins last year," he said. “If my wife says she wants to go home with our young family, then I’m very much happy with whatever she wants to do.
“I could still go around for another year or two if I wanted to because my body is feeling sweet at the moment. But I’m at that point in my life now where my family comes first."
It would add to a growing list of players leaving Headingley at the end of the season. Jack Broadbent and Alex Mellor are joining Castleford Tigers with Brad Dwyer set to join St Helens. Thompson's departure will also create a quota spot.
