The Daily Telegraphfirst reported on Sunday night that Leutele’s plan to sign with the Storm for the remainder of the season had been knocked back by the NRL.
The story temporarily attracted the attention of the rugby league community, many wondering why Sonny Bill Williams had been allowed to signal with Sydney’s roosters.
Kayo is your price ticket for the NRL Telstra Premiership 2020. Each component of each live and circular on demand with loose ads breaks the game. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day trial and start streaming instantly
The NRL has temporarily adapted to the existing pandemic, but Buzz Rothfield says circumventing regulations may provide a number of disorders in the future.
“It’s a dead end, emails were exchanged all weekend and to be fair to the NRL, they have to make a signature that’s fair to the other clubs,” Rothfield said at Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast.
“You can’t just Melbourne Storm and do them a favor. You can’t help the roosters. You can’t do southerners a favor and let them point to Joseph Suaalii and let him play at 17.”
“This is the box of computer viruses they opened by letting Sonny Bill play with two contracts, letting Souths play Suaalii before any 18-year-old.”
CASUALTY WARD: all the news about the injuries of the round 12 plus the expected setback dates
“Now they had to do the same with Ricky Leutele, but I worked for everyone’s interest.”
In fact, it worked for Leutele, who is desperate to have the chance to play in the rugby league, as Wolfpack’s sudden withdrawal has left him stranded and without money.
“We updated this story last night when we learned that the NRL was going on to go backwards and allow them to point to the Melbourne storm,” Rothfield said.
“He was a great medium in 2016, he didn’t have much cash for the Sharks and he won a big deal to play in the Super League with the Toronto Wolfpack.”
MORE NEWS FROM THE NRL
DISCUSSION POINTS: No wonder Madge has become the most sensible. The tigers are destined for ninth place
UP: Folau refuses to kneel when controversy hits Super League return
“Now the club has just left all the players there and has won an eviction ice to leave their home, they took the car from their club and paid him for almost 3 months.”
“He was simply locked there. The club intends to bring him back to Australia, but they have simply disappeared. Now he’s looking to pay his own airfares.”
“The NRL is evident to give those blocked players a chance to come back and play football.”
The warriors were floated first as an apparent destination for Leutele, but rejected it.
MORE NEWS FROM THE NRL
AXED? Ennis fears for Broncos under Seibold. Hooper says he won’t be coach next year
VEREDICTO DE VOSSY: Why does the NRL criticize the ugly act of the young Knight?
Melbourne, on the other hand, desperately wants outdoor intensity after a season-ending injury to loan player Paul Momirovski.
“Everyone thinks we had to send him to the Warriors, they can do it with help,” he said.
“But the Warriors don’t need it because as long as he gets home, there’s going to be isolation and he hasn’t played since February. Melbourne’s storm needs it.”
The storm didn’t have much to offer, however, Leutele appreciates everything it can receive, even if the NRL is not so willing to return the favor.
“They’ve only got $35,000 left in the cap,” Rothfield said.
“Ricky is more than satisfied to play for $35,000. Anyway, the NRL comes in and says no, you can’t. It’s $60, 000.”
“They said he was looking to come back and play football, we don’t have any money. We lost Paul Momirovski.”
In the end, the NRL relented and allowed Leutele to signal a move that will only increase Melbourne’s chances of reaching 2020.
Subscribe to our Fox Sports newsletters
By registering, you agree to our terms of use, our privacy and our privacy notice.
Success!