Sam Lisone has become one of Super League’s most respected forwards, known for his powerful ball-carrying and relentless work rate in the middle of the field. After three impactful seasons at Leeds Rhinos, Sam Lisone has now made the switch to Hull FC, a move that has generated plenty of discussion among rugby league fans. This article covers his career path, the details behind his departure from Leeds, and what fans can expect from him next.
Who Is Sam Lisone?
Sam Lisone was born on 19 February 1994 in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan and New Zealand heritage. He attended Tangaroa College and came through the junior ranks at Otahuhu Leopards before breaking into professional rugby league. His combination of size, footwork and offloading ability made him a standout prop from an early age.
He made his NRL debut with the New Zealand Warriors in 2015, having previously earned NYC Player of the Year honours in the club’s under-20s system. Over four seasons at the Warriors, Sam Lisone made 85 appearances, largely coming off the interchange bench as a powerful impact forward. He then moved to the Gold Coast Titans for the 2020 NRL season, where he spent three years and racked up 48 appearances before deciding to test himself in the northern hemisphere.
Sam Lisone’s Move to Leeds Rhinos
Sam Lisone signed for Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2023 Betfred Super League season, arriving from the Gold Coast Titans on a deal that would ultimately keep him at Headingley for three years. The switch to Super League represented a fresh challenge, and it didn’t take long for him to settle into the physical demands of the English game.
Across his time at the club, Sam Lisone made 67 appearances and touched down for 13 tries in his first two and a half seasons, before adding further tries in his final campaign to bring his overall Leeds tally to double figures beyond that mark. His numbers tell only part of the story, though, teammates and coaches consistently praised his impact off the bench and his ability to shift momentum in a match within a handful of carries.
Season-by-Season Form
| Season | Club | Appearances | Tries |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Leeds Rhinos | 24 | 4 |
| 2024 | Leeds Rhinos | 24 | 2 |
| 2025 | Leeds Rhinos | 15 | 6 |
By 2025, Sam Lisone was arguably playing the best rugby of his career. Head coach Brad Arthur got the most out of him, and he became a genuine super-sub, capable of starting or coming off the bench depending on what the game required. His performance against Castleford Tigers, where he scored two tries and ran the opposition ragged, was widely seen as one of the highlights of his Leeds career.
The Sam Lisone Leeds Rhinos Contract Situation
Heading into the 2025 season, Sam Lisone was out of contract, and speculation quickly began about his future. He was open about his affection for the club, telling reporters: “There’s no other team I’d want to play for, to be honest.” That statement reflected genuine loyalty, but it didn’t guarantee he would stay.
The Sam Lisone Leeds Rhinos contract talks dragged on for several months without resolution. Leeds sporting director Ian Blease later confirmed that discussions with Lisone’s management had been ongoing throughout the year, but the club ultimately couldn’t match what was on offer elsewhere. Salary cap constraints played a significant role, with Blease explaining that Lisone had secured a long-term deal on terms Leeds simply weren’t able to compete with.
A change to Super League’s overseas player quota, expanding from seven to ten foreign-qualified players per squad from the following season, also opened the door for rival clubs to make a serious approach. That regulatory shift proved decisive in reshaping how the Sam Lisone Leeds Rhinos contract situation eventually played out.
Why Sam Lisone Left for Hull FC
In July 2025, it was confirmed that Sam Lisone would join Hull FC on a two-year contract starting in 2026. The Sam Lisone Hull FC deal was reportedly pursued aggressively, with Hull described as coming in “hard” for the prop once his contract situation at Leeds became clear.
Speaking about the move, Sam Lisone admitted the decision wasn’t an easy one emotionally, even if the practical side of it was straightforward. He noted that, ideally, he would have preferred another season at Leeds, but stressed there wasn’t actually a firm contract offer on the table from the Rhinos at the time he made his decision. This point mattered to fans trying to understand exactly how the Sam Lisone Hull FC transfer came together.
Personal factors also appear to have influenced his thinking. His partner, Georgia Hale, plays in the NRL Women’s competition, and reports suggested Lisone had previously considered a return to Australia altogether. Ultimately, though, he chose to remain in Super League, just with a different club.
Sam Lisone Salary: What’s Known
Exact figures around the Sam Lisone salary have never been officially disclosed by either Leeds Rhinos or Hull FC, which is standard practice in rugby league. What is publicly known is that his new deal with Hull FC is described as a long-term contract that exceeded what Leeds could offer within their salary cap.
Given his standing as an established international prop with over 190 senior appearances across the NRL and Super League, it’s reasonable to assume the Sam Lisone salary at Hull FC sits among the higher brackets for forwards in the competition, though supporters shouldn’t expect an exact number to be confirmed publicly. Clubs and players in rugby league typically keep these details private, and neither party involved in this transfer has broken from that norm.
What This Move Means for Both Clubs
For Leeds Rhinos, losing Sam Lisone is a genuine blow. Blease acknowledged as much publicly, admitting the club were “sad to see Sam leave” and that his departure represented a significant loss given the form he’d shown under Brad Arthur. Leeds now face the task of replacing his output in the front row, both in terms of go-forward metres and his growing habit of finding the try line.
For Hull FC, the signing represents a statement of intent. Bringing in an experienced, in-form international prop on a two-year deal suggests the club is serious about strengthening its forward pack for the coming seasons. Fans at the KCOM Stadium will be hoping Sam Lisone can replicate the form that made him such a key figure at Headingley.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position does Sam Lisone play? He plays as a prop forward, typically used both as a starter and an impact substitute off the bench.
Has Sam Lisone played international rugby league? Yes, he has represented Samoa at international level and has also featured for the NRL All Stars team.
When does Sam Lisone start at Hull FC? His contract with Hull FC begins in the 2026 Super League season, following the conclusion of his Leeds Rhinos deal.
How many clubs has Sam Lisone played for? He has played for the New Zealand Warriors, Gold Coast Titans, Leeds Rhinos, and now Hull FC.
Final Thoughts
Sam Lisone’s journey from Auckland junior rugby league to becoming one of Super League’s most consistent forwards is a genuine rugby league success story. His three years at Leeds Rhinos cemented his reputation as a powerful, reliable prop, and while the end of the Sam Lisone Leeds Rhinos contract saga disappointed many Headingley supporters, his move to Hull FC opens an exciting new chapter. Rugby league fans on both sides of the Humber will be watching closely to see how Sam Lisone performs in claret and amber colours from 2026 onwards.
