Leeds Rhinos star joins surprise new club for 2024 campaign

Many feared that Leeds Rhinos star Zane Tetevano would never play again after 2023 but that has not been the case.

The now former Leeds star played in NRL Grand Finals with both Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers winning the title in 2019 before coming short in 2020 prior to his move to Leeds.

Tetevano’s move to Headingley was announced on Christmas Day 2020 and saw the Rhinos snap up a New Zealand and Cook Islands international in a statement signing.

Tetevano took on the famous number 13 shirt upon arrival after Stevie Ward was forced into early retirement. He signed for the club to join Matt Prior and Ava Seumanufagai but the latter left the club due to the pandemic and was later replaced by King Vuniyayawa.

After featuring in Leeds’ opening two league games, Tetevano would be red carded against St Helens in the Challenge Cup for a challenge on Theo Fages and would then miss a hefty period through suspension.

He would get two more red cards in his Leeds career. Another against St Helens in 2022 and then on his final appearance against Wigan Warriors in 2023.

In and out of the side with bans, Tetevano struggled in his first season and a half but the arrival of Rohan Smith brought the best out of him as did a surprise move into the second-row position.

In 2023, he moved to the number 10 shirt becoming one of only few men to wear two iconic shirt numbers for the club.

However, whilst suspended for the red card incident against Wigan, Tetevano would suffer a stroke whilst training and collapsed due to a hole in his heart.

Tetevano would later be released from the remainder of his contract to return home and many believed he would retire but he went on to play for the Cook Islands and now Wyong captain-coach Mitch Williams says Zane Tetevano has “agreed to terms” and “should be wearing green and gold” in Newcastle Rugby League’s first-grade competition next year.

He is set to join Peter Mata’utia and the likes of Blake Austin and David Fifita playing at this level in 2024. Back at Headingley, his number 10 shirt is now worn by Tom Holroyd.