Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos have signed a veteran Australian forward from the NRL with immediate effect.
Prop Matt Lodge has penned a deal until the end of this season and will arrive in Leeds as soon as his visa is approved.
The 31-year-old joins Rhinos from North Queensland Cowboys having made 15 appearances in the southern hemisphere competition this year, most recently against Sydney Roosters two weeks ago.
He made his first grade debut in 2014 and has played 148 times for Wests Tigers, Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors, the Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles and North Queensland.
The front-rower adds size and experience to a Leeds pack who are set to be without injured Samoa international ‘middle’ Keenan Palasia until the final round of the regular season, in a month’s time.
Lodge said: “I’m really excited about coming over. I have been watching the team play, they are doing a great job and I am very grateful for the opportunity.
“I can’t wait to rip in and do whatever the team needs from me.
“I’ve known of the Leeds Rhinos all my life and can remember watching some of their champion teams as a kid.
“It’s a proud club and I’m pumped I get to experience what it’s all about. I can’t wait to get out there and go hard.
“When Brad [Arthur, Rhinos’ coach] offered me the opportunity, I jumped at the chance.”
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Rhinos sporting director Ian Blease said: “We are really pleased to have been able to bring Matt into the group for the remainder of the season.
“We have a very competitive squad, but as we head into the most important part of the campaign we wanted to add some experience and further depth to our forward pack.
“Matt is a big, physical player who has played at the highest level and understands what is required when the pressure is on.
“He will give Brad another option in the middle and we believe he can make a real impact over the coming weeks.”
Explaining what he expects from Lodge, Arthur added: “Matt is a strong ball carrier and a physical defender and he knows what it takes to play in big games.
“We’ve got a good group here and he will add to the competition for places.
“The boys have worked hard to put themselves in the position we’re in and now it’s about continuing to improve and making the most of the opportunity we have created for ourselves.”
