New Leeds signing Greg Eastwood is the latest southern hemisphere player to be denied a UK work visa.
Former Bronco plans to appeal
New Leeds signing Greg Eastwood is the latest southern hemisphere player to be denied a UK work visa.
The New Zealand international loose forward, who was set to begin a three-year contract with the Rhinos after agreeing to move to Headingley from NRL side Brisbane Broncos in August last year, informed Leeds of the decision on Friday night.
The 21-year-old World Cup winner was denied a visa by the British Embassy in Canberra - a decision believed to be on the grounds of previous speeding convictions - although he plans to appeal.
He is the fourth high-profile overseas player this year denied access to Super League because of a clampdown on entry requirements and he now faces an anxious wait to see if the decision will be reversed.
Faith
"He is shocked and obviously very disappointed," said Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington.
"We are all surprised and very disappointed too. Greg will pursue an appeal and we will wait to see the outcome. We will continue to stay in touch with him during this process."
Former Brisbane Broncos star Eastwood, whose father was born in Huddersfield, was in the process of applying for a British passport but needed first to gain an entry visa.
The news come as a bitter blow to the Super League champions after they allowed England second-rower Gareth Ellis to join Sydney club Wests Tigers in the off-season.
Eastwood signed a three-year deal at Headingley and was expected to take over from Ellis but now he, like Hull FC signing Michael Crocker, Huddersfield's Todd Carney and Bradford's Greg Bird, faces an uncertain future.
