Leo Thompson wants to have signed his next NRL contract before the season starts and his brother’s arrival at Newcastle won’t necessarily sway the prop.
The tough-as-teak Knights forward has gone from strength-to-strength in three years at the Hunter club, starting as the front-rower in all 23 of his appearances this year.
Without a deal beyond 2025, Thompson scored the go-ahead try for New Zealand in Sunday’s 54-12 mauling of Papua New Guinea as the latest reminder of his potential value on the open market.
The 24-year-old has already been linked with a move to Canterbury, while Wests Tigers and Parramatta are also in need of extra starch in the middle as they look to bounce back to finals contention.
“I’m hoping it gets sorted before the start of next season so I can just fully focus on that season,” Thompson said after the Kiwis’ win.
“Since I’ve been in camp, I’ve kind of put all of that on hold.
“All my focus has been here.”
Thompson will link up with twin brother Tyrone when he returns to the Knights for pre-season after the former Super Rugby forward signed a development deal with Newcastle for 2025.
The pair was inseparable growing up in New Zealand but were forced apart when Leo joined Canberra’s junior system as a teenager.
“Probably the hardest thing for me moving over to Aussie was moving away from him,” he said.
“We’ve been talking for years about linking back up, whether that was for me to go to union or him to come here.
“I’m doing pretty well for myself at least, so he wants to come and join me.”
Tyrone is already training with the Knights and has been staying at Leo’s place during the Pacific Championships.
The idea of playing together in 2025 is at the front of Leo’s mind.
It also appears a realistic goal after Tyrone made 22 appearances for the Super Rugby’s Chiefs across three years.
But, Leo says he won’t stay in Newcastle beyond 2025 with the sole aim of being close to his sibling.
“Hopefully he debuts at the Knights and we can get some games together,” Thompson said.
“I’d love to play with my brother.
“But, at the end of the day, he’s his own man.
“I want him to create something off the back of his own name.”
For more sports stories:
- Lake Mac cliff diver Iffland on top of the world
- Knights trio star in Jillaroos’ Pacific Championships success
- ALM: Newcastle taught valuable lesson by Wanderers
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