Super League heavy-hitters the Leeds Rhinos are readying a huge bid for Luke Brooks that would see the oft-maligned halfback leave the Wests Tigers and move abroad to play for one of England’s biggest clubs.
Today, former Raiders duo Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer are playing together in the halves for the Rhinos, who are six and eight after 14 games in the Super League this season. The English competition deals for both are set to expire at the end of the year and Leeds are already on the look for replacements for the outgoing partnership.
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Leeds actually already boasts a very highly-rated young halfback, Jack Sinfield, but the club and coach Rohan Smith is in no rush to plug the 18-year-old straight into the starting jersey.
Instead, they want a veteran head in the lineup for the time being.
Brooks, who The Sporting Base understands has been on the Rhinos’ radar since at least February this year, fits the bill quite well. Leeds powerbrokers want someone who can play out a season or two in the blue and white before giving Sinfield a crack at the number seven jumper and think the Wests playmaker could be a perfect fit for their plans.
There are two key sticking points in early negotiations.
First, Brooks has told friends and family he doesn’t want to leave Australia. Second, he’s earning around $1.1 million a year at the moment and Leeds wants to shave that to around £300,000.
There’s always a chance Brooks hears the Leeds bosses out after shopping around other NRL clubs and discovering his options are thin on the ground, but he has been playing well enough to find another home.
If Tim Sheens and the Tigers have their say though, Brooks will stay in Campbelltown.
“I’ve spoken to his agent, and the club has spoken to his agent. We will be making him an offer, and I hope it’s going to be enough,” Sheens said last month.
“Not only the offer but also ‘Brooksy’s’ attitude of playing here, that’s important as well… and it wouldn’t be for just a year.
The reigning Wests caretaker then added: “I’ve always had my eye on keeping ‘Brooksy’, I don’t care what external people have said. I’m keen to keep him happy and keep him here.”
Brooks and the Tigers are currently languishing in 16th with three wins in 12 outings. Any spot above dead last—the Dragons sit there right now with a loss more—is a win for Wests right now, however, considering their recent history.
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