Leeds Rhinos have been linked with a surprise move for Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks. The halfback, who is off-contract at the end of the season, is currently one of the highest-paid players in the NRL but is now allegedly being considered for a Super League move.
Brooks, 28, has made almost 200 NRL appearances and has spent his entire career at Wests Tigers. But according to The Mole, Leeds are plotting a move for the playmaker after coming under first during the opening rounds of the Tigers' winless campaign.
Both of Leeds' current halfbacks, Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer, are off-contract at the end of the year. Further to that, the Rhinos are set to open up substantial salary cap space ahead of 2024, with the majority of their top earners off-contract. Kruise Leeming is set to depart for Gold Coast Titans while the likes of Zane Tetevano, James Bentley and David Fusitu'a are also in the final year of their deals.
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Nevertheless, the prospect of the Rhinos having the financial clout to lure Brooks does appear unlikely. Brooks is reportedly earning $1.1 million (£600,000) this year. According to GQ, that makes him the fourth highest-earner in the NRL behind Kalyn Ponga, Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans. Even if Brooks was, hypothetically, willing to slash that salary in half, he would still be on a marquee contract and more so one of the highest-paid players in Super League history.
For what it's worth, it's highly unlikely that Brooks will be able to command a contract anything like his current one and while he is free to currently discuss terms with clubs in both the NRL and Super League, he is likely to earn a more lucrative deal down under. Rohan Smith does appear set to see an overhaul of his squad for 2024, a continuation of the process he started last year.
The latest House of League is out now. Matthew Shaw is joined by a variety of guests to discuss Kruise Leeming's shock Leeds Rhinos exit, Wakefield Trinity's pitch saga and more. You can listen to the full show below or alternatively subscribe on Spotify, Amazon Music or Apple Music.
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