Rhinos winger Hall signs long-term contract at Headingley

England winger Ryan Hall has pledged his future to Leeds Rhinos by signing a new five-year contract.
Ryan HallRyan Hall
Ryan Hall

The 26-year-old has agreed to extend his previous long-term deal by a further two years, meaning he will be approaching his 31st birthday when his contract expires in 2018.

Hall – the 10th highest try scorer in Super League history – made his Rhinos debut in 2007 and securing his future is a major coup for the Headingley club.

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“It is nice to get it sorted and this new contract will hopefully include a testimonial as well,” Hall said.

“It’s good to commit myself to Leeds, as I have done in the past and I still think it is the place to be.”

Asked if he is now a Rhino for life, Hall, added: “It is looking that way at the moment, with this new deal signed, but we will see – you never know what is around the corner.”

He has scored 158 tries in 197 games for Leeds and is set to join a select group of 78 other players who have made 200 appearances for the club. The prolific winger has only scored two tries this season – both in last month’s win at Catalan Dragons – but has helped Leeds to an unbeaten start to Super League.

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“I haven’t scored as many tries as other people have done, but as I always say, as long as the team is winning and playing well, that’s the main thing,” he stressed.

“I would like to score some more, but I am not panicking about it because I know my time will come and I will get opportunities later on down the line.”

In the current climate, when Australia’s NRL and rugby union clubs are looking at league’s top talent, Rhinos coach Brian McDermott welcomed Hall’s new deal, and said it was good news for Super League as well as Leeds.

“In today’s climate, to secure a world-class player is an indication of Ryan’s intentions and his loyalty to Super League,” said McDermott. “It is an indicator of his faith in this club as well and the direction it’s heading in.”

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Chief executive Gary Hetherington added: “Ryan is a key member of that group. Not only is he a world-class player, he’s also a good character and represents everything that’s good about our team and club.”

Meanwhile, Hall’s centre partner Joel Moon is set to be sidelined for “a couple of weeks” after suffering a hamstring injury while the Rhinos have concerns over Brett Delaney (leg) and Jamie Peacock (calf) for Friday’s game against London Broncos.