Leeds Rhinos fans may be getting excited about potential signings but last night they were greeted with the news of a high profile exit.
Centre Nene MacDonald, who joined the club from Leigh Leopards and debuted against Hull FC at Headingley this season prior to a sensational display against St Helens in Round Three, has left the club despite signing a long term deal earlier this year.
This comes after he left the club for Australia for the birth of his child and didn’t return.
Macdonald said on his exit: “I really enjoyed my time at the Rhinos and I am grateful for the opportunity and support from all the players and staff.”
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington added: “Nene was very popular with our players and a favourite with our fans and we will miss him. We wish him well in his next venture and we will now focus on finding a replacement for 2024.”
Nene is set to join Salford Red Devils next year according to reports.
This is despite the fact he recently made a statement that he would be staying at Headingley.
“I came back to Australia for the birth of my child,” he told Post-Courier. “I signed a four-year deal, I’m still there and I don’t know what everyone is saying but I still got a four-year deal.
“I’m still contracted and I haven’t done anything wrong…we (Rhinos) can’t make the finals so I’m staying back and getting the chance to play and it’s just exciting to be back. It’s been too long like 2019 COVID and home and being away in England…miss being here and it’s good to be back home.”
Smith did reveal text messages with the player whoever.
He said: “I had a few text messages exchanged a couple of weeks ago now. That was the last time I’ve had communication.
“It’s been left to Gary and Nene’s management to sort out where that goes.
“I’m not going to speculate about any scenarios there. There hasn’t been an update in the last four or five days since I was last asked that question.
“So when there is, we’ll be looking forward to a resolution to it for Nene and his young family to get the best solution and also for the club, whatever that works out to be.
“That’s just an ongoing process at the moment. He’s unavailable this week.”
