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Leeds Rhinos sign Palasia and Jenkins for 2025

Keenan Palasia in action for the Gold Coast Titans this seasonImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Keenan Palasia has made a total of 68 NRL appearances

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Leeds Rhinos have signed Samoa international forward Keenan Palasia from Gold Coast Titans and front-rower Cooper Jenkins from Norths Devils on two-year deals.

Palasia, 27, made his National Rugby League debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 2019 and spent four years at the club, helping them to the 2023 NRL Grand Final.

Having made 53 appearances for the Broncos, he went on to join the Titans for 2024 and turned out 15 times for the club.

"Keenan arrives with a lot of experience of playing in the NRL, with nearly 70 games under his belt, and I think he will complement the options we already have in our forward packs," .

"Having spoken to him, I know he is excited about starting his new life in England with the Rhinos and I think he will become a firm fan favourite with his style of play."

Palasia, who made 131 metres during 38 minutes of play in last year's NRL Grand Final, could feature at Leeds' Headingley home in November should he be selected for Samoa for their second Test against England in this autumn's international series.

"I'm excited for a fresh start and to begin my next journey in a new country but most of all, I am looking forward to wearing the Rhinos jersey," Palasia said.

Australian Jenkins, meanwhile, joins having helped the Devils win the Queensland Cup.

The 23-year-old added: "It is a great opportunity for me to be joining a great club like the Rhinos under a coach like Brad, who is well respected in the rugby league community."