Leeds Rhinos have added firepower to their forward pack with the signing of Keenan Palasia from Gold Coast Titans. The 27-year-old forward has agreed to a two-year deal with the Rhinos, moving from the NRL to the Super League. Meanwhile, back in the NRL, Gold Coast Titans have secured the services of one of their rising stars, Klese Haas, with a new three-year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2027.
Palasia, a Samoan international, has built a solid career in the NRL, having debuted for the Brisbane Broncos in 2019. His breakout season came in 2023 when he played a vital role in the Broncos’ run to the NRL Grand Final. During the Grand Final, he delivered a standout performance off the bench, recording 131 running metres and 18 tackles in just 38 minutes. Palasia’s career total stands at 53 games for the Broncos before his move to the Titans in 2024, where he featured in 15 matches.
Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur expressed his excitement about Palasia’s signing, noting the player’s wealth of experience and potential impact in the Super League. “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 pack. He is excited about starting his new life in England, and I think he will become a firm fan favorite with his style of play.”
Sporting Director Ian Blease shared similar sentiments, expressing gratitude to the Gold Coast Titans for allowing Palasia to join Leeds. “Keenan will bring size, skill, and presence to our existing pack. I would like to thank Gold Coast Titans for releasing him from the final year of his contract so he can come to AMT Headingley immediately.”
In addition to his club career, Palasia has represented Samoa on the international stage, earning three caps, including appearances against Australia and New Zealand in the World Cup. Fans of Leeds Rhinos could potentially see Palasia in action sooner than expected, as he may feature for Samoa in their upcoming series against England, with one of the Tests scheduled to be played at AMT Headingley.
While Palasia embarks on a new journey in England, the Gold Coast Titans are celebrating the retention of Klese Haas, a key player in their future plans. The younger brother of Broncos and Origin star Payne Haas, Klese made his NRL debut at the end of 2022. Since then, the 22-year-old has clocked 39 games, including 22 appearances this season, where he started in 14 of those matches.
Haas, a product of the Titans’ Future Titans pathways, expressed his excitement about extending his stay at the club. “I’m super excited to be remaining a Titan until 2027. I got to make my debut here at this club in 2022 and I’ve been extremely grateful for the opportunity the Titans have given me to start my NRL career. I’ve really enjoyed learning under quality representative players like Tino, Moe, and Dave, who have helped me grow as a player and a person. I’m eager to keep working hard to bring success to the Gold Coast in the next few years.”
Haas’ commitment is a significant boost for the Titans, who are keen to develop homegrown talent. The club’s head of football praised Haas for his rapid development and hard work. “Klese has been outstanding since coming through our development pathways, and we’re thrilled to have him commit to the club long-term. His dedication on and off the field is a testament to his character, and we know he has a bright future ahead.”
The Titans have also been active in strengthening their leadership group, with RCG set to join Kieran Foran and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in bringing experience and mentorship to the younger players.
With Palasia beginning his journey in England and Haas solidifying his future with the Titans, both the Super League and the NRL are set for exciting seasons ahead as these two forwards continue to make their mark on the rugby league world.
