Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith reveals why Zane Tetevano is ‘like very few others’ he has come across

It’s fair to say Leeds Rhinos forward Zane Tetevano has not had the best of times at the West Yorkshire club.

After being banned yet again for five matches for a late hit on St Helens’ Konrad Hurrell, Tetevano has had to wait patiently in the wings to return to Rohan Smith’s outfit.

But, Smith hailed Tetevano’s professionalism on and off the training field and is hoping to see some improvements in his game after being constantly in contact regarding his discipline.

“Zane and I have spoken frequently since I’ve been here on his game and what is important in his game and that process began after his misdemeanour against St Helens.

“We’ve been building up for this game and chipping away at it.

“Zane is a tremendous trainer and he has always been fit and dedicated. He could easily be the most conscientious and diligent trainer at this club. He preps for the session and recovers from the session like very few others I have come across. He is extremely professional.”

“It’s a contact sport and sometimes things go wrong.”

Of course, with Tetevano being in disciplinary trouble on a number of occasions, there had been question marks over his future but Smith previously quashed those feelings.

“Zane is contracted and some thing happen in a contact sport. Zane’s was a situation with a big, strong player in your area but he applied the technique not at the right time.”

Moving forward, it’s clear that the former Penrith Panthers man needs to change some of his disciplinary areas, but he could well turn out to be the man that the Rhinos can lean on going into the business end of the season.

And, with Smith’s full trust, Tetevano needs to show his boss that he can do just that.