Back rower Ethan O’Neill has explained his exit from Leeds Rhinos, and why Hull FC are the club for him to excel.
O’Neill initially signed for the Headingley outfit for season 2026, penning a three-year deal from Leigh Leopards.
However, after just four appearances, he initially began a loan move with the Black and Whites, before a permanent exit from the Rhinos came earlier this month.
Coinciding with Jed Cartwright’s switch to St Helens, the move came in the week leading up to FC’s would-be defeat to York Knights. Now, he has revealed how and why his Super League switch came about.
Speaking ahead of last week’s home loss to former club Leigh, the 26-year-old said: “When I first came here, I came here as a Leeds player and I was just taking the opportunity with both hands. Do my best for Hull but obviously put my best foot forward so I was able to crack into the Leeds team.
“The opportunity came about three weeks in. I was speaking briefly with Lasty and Richie and things happened pretty quickly. One thing happened after another, and funny things happen in rugby league, and it just happened straight away.”
Touching on why he dropped out of the pecking order under Brad Arthur, he said: “Maybe personal preference, but Chris Hankinson grabbed the opportunity with both hands, and I’m happy for him. He’s a proper lovely bloke and a really good player.
“It’s football. These things happen. Not everything is expected. He took the opportunity with both hands and didn’t give me that jersey. That’s just rugby league.”
After signing for seasons 2027 and 2028 as well, O’Neill has confirmed that conversations have taken place with incoming boss Steve McNamara about his role for next year.
Asked why Hull FC, he replied:Â “The opportunity. They made me feel wanted. Not that I didn’t feel wanted at Leeds but the opportunity was there for me to play long-term.
“They’ve got Steve Mac coming in, and I’ve spoke to him and had the opportunity to be coached under Lasty again.
“Under Steve it’s going to be awesome for me in my game. I’ve had long conversations with Steve, and he’s pretty confident about what I can bring to this team, and so am I.
“I can’t wait to pick his brain and him help me become a better player.”
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Hull FC forward explains England and silverware desire after Leeds Rhinos exit
One key factor that O’Neill has is that, despite him hailing from Australia, he spent time in England as a child whilst his father, Julian, played in the northern hemisphere.
Not only does that mean he doesn’t count on the overseas quota, much like Leigh star Lachlan Lam doesn’t, he is eligible to play for England on the international stage.
“I want to play international football. That’s another goal of mine,” he said. “My Grandmother was English, and that makes me eligible for England, and that’s my aspiration.
“I want to be able to prove to myself that I am able to do that, and it’s going to be about playing some good football to accomplish that, but it’s one game at a time. Good things will happen if I’m playing consistently good football.”
Commenting further on his long-term goals, O’Neill added: “I want to win silverware with Hull FC. I was just looking on the walls in there. They’ve got their Challenge Cup final winning days on the walls. I’m trying to envision us someday getting back to that. I firmly believe that we have the team to do that.
“It’s a pity that we’ve had so many injuries. It’s a part of football. I firmly believe that we’re capable of that.
“In a similar way to Leeds, it’s a club that does have a lot of that history. There’s almost the expectation from fans that this is a club of a size that should be challenging up there at the silverware table.”
