The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have announced the signing of veteran forward, Zane Tetevano after his exit from the Leeds Rhinos.
The 33-year-old rejoins the NRL on a one-year deal with the Club, with General Manager of Football Phil Gould welcoming him to Belmore today: “Zane is a highly respected senior player who will bring leadership and work ethic to our group.”
The International prop started his career at the Newcastle Knights, relocating from New Zealand as a teenager to join their pathways. He made his NRL debut in 2011 for the Knights before spending three seasons at the Roosters where he played in their 2018 Grand Final win. He then joined Penrith on a two-year deal before being granted a release to join the Leeds Rhinos. In all, Tetevano played over 120 games in the NRL.
Internationally, Tetevano has represented the Cook Islands on ten occasions as well as having made three Test appearances for New Zealand.
Tetevano was released from Leeds last year on medical grounds but has since passed a fitness test to take up the deal at Canterbury. The new recruit commenced training with the Bulldogs squad earlier today.
Tetevano’s up and down Leeds Rhinos career
Leeds Rhinos captured New Zealand international forward Zane Tetevano from NRL side Penrith Panthers on a three year deal ahead of the 2021 Super League season.
Over his first two years in blue and amber, the forward accrued 31 appearances in all competitions and three tries, plus he also started at loose forward in the 2022 Grand Final.
Prior to his move to Leeds, Tetevano featured in two NRL Grand Finals, including the 2020 clash with Melbourne Storm for the Panthers. He started his NRL career with Newcastle Knights, joining the club in 2008 as a teenager from Tokoroa, in New Zealand’s Waikato region. He made his NRL debut in 2011 and played alongside former Rhino Adam Cuthbertson at the Knights, before spending three seasons at the Roosters, where he played in the 2018 Grand Final win as well as winning the World Club Challenge against Wigan in 2019.
He joined Penrith on a two year deal, appearing in the Grand Final again, but gained a release from the final year of his Panthers contract to join the Rhinos. In all, Tetevano has played over 120 games in the NRL.
Internationally, the prop played for the Cook Islands in the 2013 World Cup in England, making five appearances in total for them before switching to New Zealand in 2019, starting in both wins for New Zealand against the Great Britain RL Lions in 2019 as well as making his Test debut against Australia. He represented Cook Islands again at the 2022 World Cup, making three appearances, and appeared for the Combined Nations All Stars in their 2022 clash with England.
