Leeds Rhinos outcast signs for Super League rivals amid hooker contract boost

Huddersfield Giants have announced the loan signing of Matt Frawley from Leeds Rhinos, on a one-month deal. 

The half-back has been out of favour under Brad Arthur, featuring just six times in all competitions and has been replaced by Jake Connor in the halves. 

Now, the 30-year-old will re-join the Giants, the club he played for 22 times in 2019, scoring four tries. 

He returned to the NRL at the end of that season, signing for Canberra Raiders and staying there until 2023. 

Frawley signed for the Rhinos in 2024, under Rohan Smith, and it is fair to say the move back to the UK has not worked out.  

The signing of Connor provided competition for him, and he failed to make any impact in the Leeds attack when given a chance. Now, youngster Jack Sinfield has seemingly overtaken him in the pecking order, with the son of Rhinos legend, Kevin, being used as an option off the bench and being utilised as a halves or hooker option. 

Now, he will make the short move back to the John Smith’s stadium as he becomes Luke Robinson’s third mid-season signing after Niall Evalds and Tristan Powell. 

The move, which also involves the extension of Elliot Wallis’ loan from the Giants to Leeds, comes at a good time for Huddersfield with halfback Adam Clune picking up a hamstring injury in last weekend’s late defeat to Wigan Warriors. 

As Frawley is from Australia, he will require a quota spot, something which the Giants did not have available, until Jack Murchie was released from the remainder of his contract to return to Australia. 

The second rower joined the club at the start of last season and has made 17 appearances in a year and a half. 

Frawley is out of contract with Leeds at the end of 2025 and will have to show some exceptional form in order to earn a new deal. However, he could also use this opportunity to put himself in the shop window, with clubs on the hunt for new players ahead of 2026.  

Huddersfield Giants secure Zac Woolford

The announcement comes alongside the news that Zac Woolford has penned a new two-year deal with the Giants after impressing in his debut season with the club.

The former Canberra Raiders man signed a one-year deal when he joined the club in the off-season, but he has now extended his stay by another two years, ensuring he will be with the Giants until the end of the 2027 campaign.

“We’re extremely excited about him committing to us,” head coach Luke Robinson said on the deal. “He’s a popular member within the group.

“He brings a lot of energy to the group too. He’s going into his best years we feel, and his best rugby is in front of him. He’s a crafty hooker that we rely on a lot for his skill and his service.

“We’re really happy to have him on board and we can get the best out of him. He’ll also help get the best out of us over the next two years.”

“It’s a huge positive. Zac was one that we wanted to get done early. We realised that there would be other Super League clubs or even NRL sides, knocking on his door, so it’s good that we’ve got it signed and sealed.”