LEEDS RHINOS are reported to have signed Australian centre Jack Bird after suffering a spate of injuries in their recent pre-season clash with Bradford Bulls at Headingley.
The Rhinos suffered serious injuries to James McDonnell, Ash Handley and Max Simpson, who are all likely to be absent for lengthy periods.
The three players were all taken from the field in the Rhinos’ 46-16 win over the Bulls with ankle, groin and knee injuries respectively.
Last week the Rhinos issued an update on their injury problems, revealing that McDonnell has an ankle syndesmosis injury and will spend as much as six weeks on the sidelines. Their captain Handley also had scans following his groin injury and he is likely to be out for two weeks.
The worst injury was that of 21-year-old centre Simpson, who will require surgery on his third ACL injury, which will rule him out for the entire 2026 season.
Chris Hankinson suffered a facial injury in the same match but he is expected to be fit for their Super League opener against Leigh Leopards a week on Friday.
Leeds winger Alfie Edgell has also undergone surgery on a quad injury he suffered in the Rhinos’ Boxing Day win over Wakefield Trinity, and he is likely to be out for twelve weeks.
But one player who should be available for the opening round of Super League is winger Maika Sivo, who missed the whole of the 2025 season with an ACL injury.
The Rhinos have moved to sign the experienced Bird, 30, who made his NRL debut with Cronulla in 2015, when he was voted the Dally M Rookie of the Year, and he has also played for Brisbane, St George Illawarra and last season, Wests Tigers.
He has also played five State of Origin matches for New South Wales.
Bird is understood to have signed a three-year contract at Headingley after being released from the final year of his contract with Wests Tigers.