Leeds let Toopi go

Toopi: Heading home

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Leeds have reached a deal with Clinton Toopi over the remainder of his contract after the New Zealand international was ruled out for up to a year.

The 28-year-old recently underwent knee reconstruction surgery after suffering his second serious injury of the season.

Toopi had another season to run on his Headingley contract, but accepted that the decision was in the best interests of the club.

"It was bad enough missing four months earlier in the season following major surgery on my shoulder and knee but suffering another knee injury has been a massive disappointment. I have really enjoyed my time here and I will miss the Rhinos very much," Toopi told the club's official website.

Positive

"It is two weeks since the operation and things are going well. The knee seems to be looking good and I am positive about my future once I get back fit again. The club have been very professional with me, especially with all my medical care and I really appreciate how Gary Hetherington has handled me, it has made everything a lot easier.

"I am not only making this decision for me and my family but also for the team. I understand that the team need to have a starting centre ready and available for the start of the season. We have been under pressure this year because of that and I want to help the club move on and give them a chance to fill the centre position and put in concrete plans for 2009.

"In Ashley Gibson we have a guy who is ready to put his name out there and Kallum Watkins will keep everyone honest and, in a couple of years, he will be a force to reckon with."

Toopi will head home to New Zealand in September and head coach Brian McClennan wished him well for the future.

"We are all bitterly disappointed for Clinton. That is the hard part of the salary cap, it leads you to have to make tough decisions in the interest of the whole team," McClennan said.

"The players and staff have a lot of time for Clinton and he will always have a great deal of friends here at the Rhinos."