Leeds Rhinos are set to sign Toronto Wolfpack forward Bodene Thompson.
League Express understands the Rhinos are looking to take the 32-year-old on a short-term deal until the end of the season to give them cover in the pack, with the club already struggling with a number of injury concerns.
Stevie Ward remains out indefinitely due to concussion concerns, while James Donaldson faces six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a fracture in his back during the Rhinos’ dramatic win over Huddersfield.
Dom Crosby and Liam Sutcliffe are also injured while Alex Mellor went off with a knee injury in their defeat to St Helens, which has left coach Richard Agar without several of his forwards just two weeks into the season restart.
With midweek games and a possible Challenge Cup run in sight, Agar has set his sights on a reinforcement to ensure the club is not completely depleted if further injuries occur.
The 32-year-old is available and on the lookout for a club as a result of Toronto’s withdrawal, with the club telling players they’re free to seek playing opportunities for the rest of the year.
A former New Zealand Warriors player, he’s endured a turbulent time in the UK, having been at Leigh when they cleared their decks after being unable to reach the Championship top four in 2018.
A flash sale saw him join Warrington for the rest of the season and he went on to play for Wire in the Grand Final that year.
He joined Toronto a year later and played 21 times as they were promoted to Super League. He scored for the Wolfpack in their defeat to Wigan earlier this season.
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