Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has ruled out signing NRL-based forward Royce Hunt.
• An earlier Australian media report said the Rhinos were “chasing” the Wests Tigers prop for next season.
• Arthur later confirmed “some discussions” had taken place with Hunt, who was part of Samoa’s 2022 World Cup final side.
• Hunt suffered a pectoral muscle injury last weekend, an issue expected to end his season.
• Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Warrington Wolves, Arthur said Hunt was no longer a target.
• The update comes as Leeds continue preparing for their upcoming match against Warrington.

Leeds Rhinos (The Leeds Times) June 16, 2026, coach Brad Arthur has ruled out signing NRL forward Royce Hunt after confirming the Wests Tigers prop is no longer a target, with the decision coming after Hunt suffered a pectoral muscle injury that is expected to end his season. The update was given during Arthur’s press conference on Tuesday ahead of Rhinos’ trip to Warrington Wolves in two days’ time.

An Australian media report earlier this month had claimed the Rhinos were “chasing” Hunt for next season. Arthur later acknowledged that there had been “some discussions” with the 30-year-old Samoa international, who played in the 2022 World Cup final.

The latest position now appears clear: Leeds will not be moving forward with a deal for the front-rower. That makes Hunt’s injury significant not only for his current campaign but also for any possible transfer speculation that had developed around him.

Why was Royce Hunt linked with Leeds Rhinos?

Royce Hunt was linked with Leeds after reports suggested the club were interested in strengthening their forward options for next season.

According to the earlier Australian report, the Rhinos were actively “chasing” the Wests Tigers prop, which prompted further discussion around a possible move to Super League.

Arthur then confirmed that conversations had taken place, which gave the story added weight. However, that interest has now been dropped following Hunt’s injury and the practical implications of his recovery timeline.

For Leeds, the development removes one potential signing from the market. For Hunt, it adds another setback in what was already a disrupted period after the pectoral muscle problem.

What did Brad Arthur say?

At his pre-match briefing before the Warrington game, Arthur made clear that Hunt would not be joining Leeds. The coach’s update effectively ended the speculation that had grown after the original reports and subsequent confirmation of talks.

The timing matters because Leeds are in the middle of a competitive period and squad planning tends to be assessed alongside immediate match preparation.

Arthur’s comments suggest the club have either moved on to other targets or decided not to pursue the deal any further.

As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post’s rugby league coverage, the discussion around Hunt had started with external reports before Leeds publicly acknowledged contact. That sequence has now concluded with a firm denial of a signing move.

What does Hunt’s injury mean?

Hunt’s pectoral muscle injury is expected to end his season, which would naturally affect his availability and any transfer possibilities. An injury at that stage of the year can complicate recruitment decisions because clubs often want a clear view of fitness before committing.

For Leeds, that likely helped shape the final decision, especially if the move was being considered for next season rather than immediately. For Hunt, the focus will now be on recovery and rehabilitation rather than any potential switch to England.

The injury also explains why the story moved quickly from reported interest to a closed door. Once a player is facing a spell out of action, clubs tend to reassess the balance between risk, timing and need.

How has the transfer story developed?

The sequence began with an Australian report saying Leeds were “chasing” Hunt for next season. Arthur then confirmed that there had been “some discussions” with the prop, which suggested the interest was genuine rather than speculative.

That was followed by Hunt’s injury last weekend, which changed the situation materially. Arthur’s latest update is the clearest signal yet that Leeds have stepped away from the move.

This type of development is common in rugby league recruitment, where a player’s form, fitness and contract situation can alter quickly. In this case, the injury appears to have accelerated the end of Leeds’ interest.

What happens next for Leeds Rhinos?

Leeds now head into their fixture against Warrington Wolves with the transfer issue settled for the time being. Arthur’s comments mean the club can move on from speculation around Hunt and concentrate on performance and squad availability.

The Rhinos may still be active in the market, but this particular option has been removed. Any future recruitment work is likely to depend on availability, fitness and the club’s wider squad planning.

For supporters, the main takeaway is that Leeds will not be signing Hunt despite the earlier links. The club’s attention now shifts back to the pitch.

Background of the development

Royce Hunt, a 30-year-old Samoa international, has been playing in the NRL with Wests Tigers and was part of Samoa’s run to the 2022 World Cup final.

Leeds Rhinos were linked with him earlier this month after an Australian report suggested interest from the Super League club.

Brad Arthur then confirmed that talks had taken place, which increased expectations that a move might follow. But Hunt’s pectoral injury and the expected end to his season changed the context quickly, and Leeds have now ruled out pursuing him.

Prediction

For Leeds Rhinos, this development is likely to push recruitment discussions toward other forwards or longer-term targets rather than an injured player whose season is already over. It may also reduce uncertainty in the short term as the club prepares for upcoming fixtures and broader squad planning.

For Hunt, the immediate priority will be recovery, and the injury may delay or reshape any future transfer talk. For Leeds supporters, the likely effect is that speculation around this particular signing will fade, while attention turns to whether the club strengthens elsewhere instead.