Leeds Rhinos have confirmed the signing of Bodene Thompson for the remainder of the 2020 season.
As revealed by League Express, the New Zealand forward has joined the club on a short-term deal following the withdrawal of Toronto Wolfpack from this year’s Super League.
He played for Warrington in the 2018 Grand Final before joining Toronto in 2019, playing 21 times as they earned promotion to Super League. He scored for the Wolfpack in their game against Wigan earlier this year.
Thompson revealed that former Leeds coach Brian McDermott had convinced him to make the move to Headingley.
“I had a number of options but when I spoke to Brian McDermott, my head coach at Toronto, he told me there was only one club I should be joining,” he said.
“I know quite a few of the lads here already and I am looking forward to getting back on the field. It has been a tough year so far with the coronavirus lockdown and then the uncertainty over Toronto’s future and I am just pleased to have this season sorted now. I could have just sat 2020 out and waited for next season but that is not the sort of character I am, I wanted to get back out on the field as soon as possible and I would like to thank Leeds Rhinos for giving me that opportunity.”
Head Coach Richard Agar added: “Bodene is a quality forward who has a great deal of experience both in the NRL but also in Super League with Warrington Wolves and Toronto Wolfpack. This is a win-win situation for Bodene and ourselves; he is able to show what he can do whilst allowing us to strengthen our pack with a tough period of games coming up in a short period of time.”
