Leeds Rhinos announced their third signing of the off-season earlier this week with Danny Levi joining the club from down under.
Levi is a familiar name to Super League fans having had a season with Huddersfield Giants, but he joins the club after spending the last three seasons with Canberra Raiders. The Samoa international fills a spot at hooker and when it comes to Brad Arthur’s spine, he represents the final piece of the puzzle.
He’ll be joined at Headingley by Ethan O’Neill and Jeremiah Mata’utia, with the former making the move across the Pennines from Leigh Leopards.
And, with that in mind, here’s how the Rhinos might line-up come round one, when Arthur takes his side to Leigh Sports Village.
Well, the big change in the outside backs is that Maika Sivo looks set to be fit again after sitting out the last year with a ruptured ACL. The Fijian suffered that injury in a friendly clash against Wigan Warriors last January and is yet to make a competitive appearance for the Rhinos.
The 33-year-old will be eager to impress this year then and make his mark on Super League after watching on for the last year. He’ll start on one wing, with Ryan Hall expected to keep his spot on the other.
Harry Newman and Ash Handley are the obvious starting centres. Jake Connor and Brodie Croft will play in the halves together, while new addition Danny Levi might well be the starting nine, with Jarrod O’Connor coming off the bench.
Mikolaj Oledzki and Keenan Palasia are options to start through the middle, with Arthur set to rotate throughout the season with Cooper Jenkins. Tom Holroyd is another middle option to come off the bench but Jeremiah Mata’utia might just be the preferred option there following his move from down under.
James McDonnell starts in the back-row, potentially alongside Ethan O’Neill while Kallum Watkins has probably cemented himself as Leeds’ best loose-forward option.
That means co-captain Cameron Smith might have to make do with a spot on the bench, with Presley Cassell likely to be hot on his heels as the season progresses.
Potential Leeds Rhinos line-up for round one
Leeds Rhinos potential line-up: Lachie Miller; Maika Sivo, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall; Brodie Croft, Jake Connor; Mikolaj Oledzki, Danny Levi, Keenan Palasia; James McDonnell, Ethan O’Neill, Kallum Watkins
Bench: Cooper Jenkins, Jeremiah Mata’utia, Jarrod O’Connor, Cameron Smith
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