Leigh Leopards Bid Farewell to Fijian Prop Ben Nakubuwai on Loan to Featherstone Rovers
Leigh, [Current Date] – In a strategic move, the Leigh Leopards have announced the departure of prop Ben Nakubuwai on a season-long loan to Featherstone Rovers. The decision, as explained by Leigh’s Head of Rugby Chris Chester, aims to provide the 13-time Fiji international with the regular playing time he needs at this stage of his career.
Nakubuwai, who joined the Leopards in 2022 when the club was still known as the Centurions, has not featured in Adrian Lam’s side since mid-April. His absence was initially due to a “soft tissue problem,” as described by Lam, but later became a selection-related decision.
“Ben is at a point in his career where he needs to be playing regularly, and right now that is something we can’t provide here. So we have taken the option to loan Ben to Featherstone to allow him to get some vital first-team minutes.”
- Chris Chester, Leopards Chief
Talks regarding Nakubuwai’s potential departure have been ongoing, as Leigh sought to free up an overseas quota spot to bring in a new marquee player. The move to Championship club Featherstone Rovers will allow Nakubuwai to secure regular playing time, with his Leigh contract set to expire at the end of the 2024 season.
Upon joining Featherstone, the Fijian prop expressed his excitement, stating, “I’m looking forward to meeting the team, staff and everyone involved at the club. I’m keen to get out there to play some rugby with the boys here, they’re a quality side and I just want to contribute to the success of the team as best I can.”
Featherstone boss James Ford was equally thrilled with the acquisition, revealing that the club had “beaten off fierce competition from leading Championship clubs” to secure Nakubuwai’s services. Ford praised the prop’s caliber, describing him as “a big, powerful middle who defends to a high level” and expressed confidence that he would be a “great addition” to the Rovers family.
As Nakubuwai embarks on his loan spell with Featherstone, the Leigh Leopards will be hoping to utilize the freed-up overseas quota spot to bolster their squad and mount a compelling challenge in the upcoming rugby league season.
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