Rohan Smith believes Sam Lisone is starting to show his capabilities after signing a new contract. The powerhouse prop has penned an extension at Headingley which will keep them at the club until the end of the 2025 season.
Lisone arrived at the club from Gold Coast Titans in the off-season and had a slow start to life in Super League, with Smith admitting there was improvements in the forward. But he produced his best performance in Leeds colours on Friday night as the Rhinos trounced Huddersfield, with Lisone making over 100 metres for the first time this year.
The 29-year-old has now committed his future to the club, which comes following the departure of his partner, Georgia Hale who left Leeds to play in the NRLW. The Samoa international said: “I am excited to be staying at the Rhinos and I am grateful to the club for wanting me to stay here. I feel like I am building into the season and now getting to where I want to be playing. I love it here at the Rhinos and I love the city, the fans here are really vocal. Playing at Headingley when the fans are going off; there is no better feeling and you just want to go out there and give it your all.”
He joins Ash Handley, Jarrod O'Connor and Jack Sinfield in signing extensions with the club. Smith now hopes to see Lisone continue to develop within his performances.
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“I am pleased for Sam that we have agreed this extension with him," the Rhinos head coach said. "He has really settled into our group and he is beginning to show what he can do on the field now. It is always a big decision to move to the other side of the world so it is pleasing that he feels so at home here at the Rhinos and I am sure that will help him to continue to build his performances.”
