Recruit Ethan O’Neill is determined to make the most of a special opportunity after joining Leeds Rhinos from Leigh Leopards.
The 26-year-old Australian second-rower scored seven tries in 22 games for Leigh in 2025 after joining them from Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears.
O’Neill’s move was a surprise following such an eye-catching first season in England, but he insisted he can be part of “something great” at Rhinos.
Outlining the thinking behind joining Leeds, O’Neill said: “It was the opportunity, they have got such a culture and history.
“It is a history-rich club here, they’ve got a really good spine and players who can not only make me better, but I feel like I can add to that crew of boys and hopefully go on to win something and make something special. We have got a special group here and the coaching staff have been awesome.”
O’Neill stressed: “From the outside looking in this year, Leeds looked good. BA [Brad Arthur] is a really good coach and I wanted to be part of that. I feel like it is going to be good for me and my career.
“At the end of the day, I want to do what’s best for me. This was the best avenue for me and I feel like I can make the most out of the opportunity, take it with both hands and do something great here.”
O’Neill, who featured in both of Rhinos’ wins over Leigh in 2025, added: “Playing against them last year, they are a real strong group.
“They are a tight-knit group and I feel like I can add something to that. Everyone’s a good-calibre player, they all know what they are doing and what their role is.”
Ethan O’Neill looks ahead to Leeds Rhinos debut
O’Neill doesn’t have long to wait for a first meeting with his former club. Leeds Rhinos travel to Leigh in Betfred Super League round one, on Friday, February 13 and he admitted he was delighted when he saw the fixture list.
He said: “I was excited, I got butterflies. It was nervous excitement, I can’t wait to play them, at Leigh as well.
“I thought it was pretty ironic, my first game with Leeds is going to be against Leigh at their home ground.
“It is really exciting. I wanted to circle that game and mark it down as one I want to play really well in. Obviously I want to play really well in every game, but that was one I earmarked.”
O’Neill missed Leigh’s final four regular-season games because of injury and didn’t feature in their play-off campaign, which may give him a point to prove.
He vowed: “I just want to play my best football week-in, week-out, but I am using it as motivation as well, going up against old team mates and coaching staff and crowd.
“I want to put my best foot forward every game, especially against them. I just want to keep improving week-in and week-out and be the best version of myself on and off the field.”
O’Neill could pull a Rhinos jersey on for the first time on Boxing Day in the annual Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge against Wakefield Trinity.
“I can’t wait to play at Headingley,” he said. “Playing there last year for Leigh and seeing how passionate they are, that was pretty cool. It is exciting I can be a part of it.”
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