{"id":771733,"date":"2026-09-15T19:58:15","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T19:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/771733\/"},"modified":"2026-09-15T19:58:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T19:58:15","slug":"former-leigh-leopards-stars-super-league-return-looms-after-nrl-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/771733\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Leigh Leopards star’s Super League return looms after NRL decision"},"content":{"rendered":"

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North Queensland Cowboys have confirmed their released list and it features former Leigh Leopards forward Kai O\u2019Donnell, who now looks in line to secure a return to Super League.<\/p>\n

Leigh, and in particular head coach Adrian Lam, have made no secret of their interest in bringing O\u2019Donnell back to the Leopards\u2019 den, with Lam speaking on multiple occasions this year about his love for the second-rower.<\/p>\n

The Leopards had hoped to try and bring in O\u2019Donnell before the end-of-season transfer deadline<\/a> but injuries for the Cowboys in the pack ensured the off-contract forward was needed down under, and ultimately no move came about.<\/p>\n

North Queensland have now confirmed that the 26-year-old will not be retained, with O\u2019Donnell being one of ten players farewelled, including Super League-bound John Bateman.<\/p>\n

With his future in the NRL now up in the air, Leigh have a perfect chance to bring home the man that Lam has spoken so fondly of this year.<\/p>\n

What has Adrian Lam said on a Leigh Leopards\u2019 return for Kai O\u2019Donnell?<\/p>\n

Speaking in early July<\/a>, Lam would admit: \u201cWhen we\u2019ve lost all those players over the last two or three years, if we could bring one back, it\u2019d probably be him but that opportunity won\u2019t come about unless he\u2019s interested in a move to Super League.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most Read on Serious About Rugby League<\/p>\n

He\u2019d comment again in early August<\/a>, adding: \u201cHe\u2019s one that we respect here, me as a coach. I\u2019ve always said that someone like Kai is a player that, if we could ever bring someone back, it would be someone like him because he\u2019s the ultimate professional.\u201d<\/p>\n

With O\u2019Donnell\u2019s Cowboys\u2019 release now made official, Leigh may well up the ante in talks to try and bring the second-rower back to Super League.<\/p>\n

Once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy \ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc9b \ud83d\udcf2 https:\/\/t.co\/Qvdk0p7P9I<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/13fEVzGPX7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NQ Cowboys (@nthqldcowboys) September 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

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