Leeds Rhinos signing Ethan O’Neill has spoken about his excitement at returning to face Leigh Leopards in round one of the upcoming Super League season, whilst also offering some insight into what new recruit Danny Levi is like.
O’Neill is one of several signings made by the Rhinos ahead of the 2026 season with he and overseas recruit Jeremiah Mata’utia joining to help replace the departing Morgan Gannon and James Bentley.
Former Huddersfield Giants man Danny Levi has also signed following Andy Ackers’ departure and O’Neill has now spoken about his fellow recruit and what it’s been like early on in training.
“He’s a real good character and it’s been good getting to know him.” O’Neill explained on the Leeds Rhinos’ YouTube channel.
“I want to pick his brain as he’s a vet of the game and knows what he’s doing, whether it be perfecting my timing with him and running lines or just asking him questions where I can learn. He’s going to be good for me and good for the team.”
Hooker battle to set Leeds Rhinos up “real good for the year”
Levi will be fighting it out with Jarrod O’Connor for the starting role at hooker and when asked about that, O’Neill explained that both men will help put the Rhinos in a position to win games.
“Hooker is a very pivotal part of the team, they touch the ball every tackle and it all goes through them. There’s healthy competition between Danny and Jared so I feel it’s setting our team up real good for the year.”
The Rhinos will open the 2026 season with an away trip to O’Neill’s former club Leigh, something he admitted he was excited about.
“100%, the first thing I was looking at was when we were playing Leigh and it’s pretty fitting that it’s the first game at Leigh so I’m really excited, I got butterflies when I first seen it,” he explained, before adding that fans should expect a show with Derek Beaumont in charge of pre-match entertainment for the game.
“He’s a character is Derek and he loves to put a show on for the Leigh fans and they love him for it so I’m expecting a big one (show) from him.
“It will be a good test for both teams and hopefully we come out on top and start the season the right way.”
As for how his early days at Headingley have gone, O’Neill said: “I’m loving it, all the boys are really good and the coaching staff are awesome. Brad has been really good for me and I’m settling in nicely. I can’t wait to find my place so I can fully buy into everything and get around the boys more but the first two weeks have been good.
“Being under Brad and a new coach, new team, new coaching staff and new environment, I want to give a good first impression and show I’m a hard worker and what I can do on the field.”
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