Exclusive: Leeds eyeing up sensational mid-season move for Robert Lui

josie andrews · Post by **josie andrews** » Sat Jun 22, 2019 7:09 pm

Leeds Rhinos are on the verge of completing a huge transfer to transform their season after launching an incredible bid to sign Salford stand-off Robert Lui with immediate effect, TotalRL can reveal.

The eight-time Super League champions remain in grave danger of relegation this season, and speculation had been mounting in recent days that the Rhinos were preparing a move for a new recruit to enhance their chances of beating the drop ahead of Kallum Watkins’ imminent departure to NRL side Gold Coast Titans.

Rumours had suggested that the Rhinos could move in for Jackson Hastings, but it is understood that it is Hastings’ half-back partner, Lui, who is the target Leeds have identified over a move to the club with immediate effect. The half-back is out-of-contract at the end of this season and could have left Salford on a free transfer, but it is understood the Red Devils will receive a transfer fee if, as expected, he departs for Headingley with immediate effect.

Lui had been linked with a move to Hull Kingston Rovers in 2020, but that looks set to be in serious doubt following the sacking of Tim Sheens. Furthermore, TotalRL understands discussions are now at such a stage that the Rhinos are increasingly confident they will land their man and provide the club with a huge boost as they remain joint-bottom of the Super League table with ten games to go.

The move has shades of Leeds’ capture of hooker James Segeyaro in 2016, with the Papua New Guinean signed at a time when the Rhinos were in similar strife at the foot of the table.

However, with no Super 8s to fall back on this time around, the Rhinos have acted swiftly by bolstering their options in the halves with the move for Lui. Sources have told TotalRL the deal could be completed within the next week.

http://www.totalrl.com/exclusive-leeds- ... obert-lui/

Mickw · Post by **Mickw** » Sun Jun 23, 2019 11:40 am

Does that mean Hastings has committed somewhere else I wonder!

josie andrews · Post by **josie andrews** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 1:31 pm

Leeds hopeful of signing Lui before weekend

Relegation-threatened Leeds Rhinos are still hoping to sign Robert Lui from Salford Red Devils before Sunday’s clash against Catalans Dragons.

In a somewhat strange situation, the deal is on hold until Hull KR are able to sell Junior Vaivai.

The USA international takes up Rovers’ last quota spot and is expected to depart the club with Leigh and Toulouse interested.

Should Vaivai move on, Hull KR will then be able to sign Leeds’ Australian hooker Matt Parcell in a deal that will see Shaun Lunt go the other way.

This will allow the Rhinos to have extra cap space to complete the signature of Lui, who they see as the man to save the club from relegation.

Salford are also keen to cash in on the 29-year-old with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

The Red Devils are safe from relegation and are keen to get some financial return on Lui having turned down multiple offers for him from Hull KR.

Leeds will reportedly pay £65,000 for the former North Queensland playmaker, though they must now wait on the movement of other players in order for the deal to happen.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/leeds-ho ... end-20960/

fozzieskem · Post by **fozzieskem** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 2:19 pm

Leeds are in utter disarray get rid of Sinfield and then uncle Gary or else they’ll be going down and that is something the sport can ill afford

DaveO · Post by **DaveO** » Tue Jun 25, 2019 9:06 pm

fozzieskem wrote:Leeds are in utter disarray get rid of Sinfield and then uncle Gary or else they’ll be going down and that is something the sport can ill afford

Oh I think it can. Just think SL with no Hethrington chucking spanner’s in the works of every initiative.

An opportunity to implement things like running an A team is a pre requisite for promotion. Really annoy GH would that.

Leeds are rich and won’t do a Bradford. They would bounce back and it would give GH an opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to RL as a whole by spreading the Leeds support at places like Batley.

If we are going to have P&R no club including Leeds or for that matter Wigan should be considered too big a loss to the top flight. If they are, then that just proves P&R is not viable.

old hooker · Post by **old hooker** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:01 am

SL will not have to suffer losing Leeds from the competition, if they are the relegated team SL will go to 14 teams make no mistake.They will not be allowed to go down and neither would Wigan if they were bottom of the league.In todays climate with RL in a poor state no big club will go down.

fozzieskem · Post by **fozzieskem** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:38 am

old hooker wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:01 am SL will not have to suffer losing Leeds from the competition, if they are the relegated team SL will go to 14 teams make no mistake.They will not be allowed to go down and neither would Wigan if they were bottom of the league.In todays climate with RL in a poor state no big club will go down.

Yea I have to agree,that said the comp needs to go to 14 teams as it is,the loop fixtures are an utter chore and not fun.

That said I thought that once a player leaves it still counted on the club he left cap,that’s clearly not the case as Leeds have dumped Watkins and lolohea to free up cap space?

josie andrews · Post by **josie andrews** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:39 am

fozzieskem wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:38 am
old hooker wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:01 am SL will not have to suffer losing Leeds from the competition, if they are the relegated team SL will go to 14 teams make no mistake.They will not be allowed to go down and neither would Wigan if they were bottom of the league.In todays climate with RL in a poor state no big club will go down.
Yea I have to agree,that said the comp needs to go to 14 teams as it is,the loop fixtures are an utter chore and not fun.

That said I thought that once a player leaves it still counted on the club he left cap,that’s clearly not the case as Leeds have dumped Watkins and lolohea to free up cap space?

Exactly, it could even go as much to 16 & stop this playing a team three times a year.

Home & away should be the fixtures.

If they want more games, sort out the Challenge Cup & bring in/back another competition like the John Player Trophy!

fozzieskem · Post by **fozzieskem** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:54 am

josie andrews wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:39 am
fozzieskem wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:38 am
old hooker wrote: ↑Wed Jun 26, 2019 6:01 am SL will not have to suffer losing Leeds from the competition, if they are the relegated team SL will go to 14 teams make no mistake.They will not be allowed to go down and neither would Wigan if they were bottom of the league.In todays climate with RL in a poor state no big club will go down.
Yea I have to agree,that said the comp needs to go to 14 teams as it is,the loop fixtures are an utter chore and not fun.

That said I thought that once a player leaves it still counted on the club he left cap,that’s clearly not the case as Leeds have dumped Watkins and lolohea to free up cap space?
Exactly, it could even go as much to 16 & stop this playing a team three times a year.

Home & away should be the fixtures.

If they want more games, sort out the Challenge Cup & bring in/back another competition like the John Player Trophy!

Completely agree with you Josie,this endless playing of the same team will drive yet more people away rather than bring them back.