Maori Warrior Joins Leeds Rhinos

With Chev Walker dithering over signing a new contract, Leeds Rhinos have moved quickly to strengthen the team for next season. Kiwi international centre Clinton Toopi has agreed to join Leeds Rhinos next season on a three year contract. Toopi has played 128 games over eight years for his present club, the New Zealand (formerly Auckland) Warriors, but is now ready for a new challenge. He told the Leeds Rhinos club website,

"My contract was up this year and, while I've loved playing for the Warriors, I think this is the right time for me to move to a new environment. I considered options in the NRL but signing with Leeds was the best opportunity for me and for my family.

The 26 year-old was referring to Super League XII when he continued,

"I am very excited about the prospect of going to England and joining an established club like Leeds Rhinos with so many international players already in the squad. I am especially looking forward to teaming up again with Ali Lauitiiti. We had a great combination at the Warriors and I know I can play well off him. "

Let's hope no more of our international players leave - unlike Mathers, Walker, Calderwood, and Bai!

Tony Smith was obviously relieved to see some quality coming into the squad after so many high profile players from the World Championship squad have departed in just fifteen months. Rhinos coach Smith described Toopi as "world class" and added,

"He has shown his quality on the world stage and, having spoken with him, he is really keen to reproduce that form in Super League."

<< previous story | next story >>