The two newest members of the Leeds Rhinos squad, Ethan O’Neill and Jeremiah Mata’utia, have revealed what made them join the club for the 2026 season.
O’Neill, who has signed from Leigh Leopards on a three-year deal, was one of the form back rowers in Super League last year, however injury forced him to miss the end of the regular season.
He then never managed to regain a place in the squad, and was left out of the 17 for play-off fixtures against Wakefield and Wigan.
Mata’utia, meanwhile, joins from the Queensland Cup on a 12-month contract with the option of a further year should the club wish to do so. Despite never making an NRL appearance, the club think highly of the 6’5 prop, and will hope he will be yet another unproven overseas player who ends up thriving in the Northern Hemisphere.
The Rhinos are back in full pre-season training now, with the pair beginning to bond with their new teammates ahead of another season that the club are expected to be challenging for trophies.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds on his move across the world, Mata’utia is looking forward to learning about his new hometown, after revealing he knows very little about the Leeds, or England, at present.
He said: “It’s been pretty smooth sailing at the moment. Everyone is very welcoming. Sometimes it’s a bit hard to understand everyone, but it’s good to have someone like [Ethan], Keenan [Palasia] and Maika [Sivo] to welcome me in.”
Discussing how the move came about, the 21-year-old recalls how a speculative conversation between him and his partner has now become a reality.
“It was a bit of a weird one, he said. “I literally woke up one morning and my agent rang me and just brought up a conversation about ‘what would you think about moving to England?’
“At the beginning of the year I tossed it up with my partner, ‘what happens if I ever move to Super League’ and it was just a bit of a full circle moment.
“I haven’t travelled anywhere in the world, so to just move and to live in a different country is just a bit mad.”
Mata’utia played for the Mackay Cutters in 2024 and 2025, and was coached by one of Leeds’ best-ever overseas recruits, Adam Cuthbertson. He revealed what the Headingley icon said to him after he found out his player was moving to West Yorkshire.
When asked what he knew about the Rhinos, which was very little, he said : “I didn’t really watch Super League at all growing up in New Zealand than moving to Australia, but I was privileged to be coached by one of the ex-players Adam Cuthbertson. He’s said a bit, but this year I’m just finding out for myself and experiencing it all and taking it all in.
“I got the phone call about Leeds leading up to our last game of the season. At that time, all I was focused on was playing games so I didn’t bring it up to him. He found out that I moved when he saw the signing. He just sent me a messaged and told me it was a great club to be at and their really lovely here.”
Leeds Rhinos recruit addresses Leigh Leopards exit
Despite having a year left on his contract at Leigh, O’Neill left the club having made 22 appearances under Adrian Lam and scoring seven tries.
He has now revealed the reasons for his premature departure, and commented on how he believes the Rhinos are the club for him.
He said: “I was just speaking with my manager and I had some interest here [Leeds].
“I love Leigh, and I wish things could have worked out better. At the end of the day, this is what’s best for my career and I feel like I’ve made the right decision for myself. I think I’m going to take my game to the next level, or the next three levels, under Brad Arthur.”
Asked about what he will look forward to most about representing the Blue and Amber, he said: “Just seeing the fans running out from the tunnel, seeing how passionate they are. Every English fan in Super League is real passionate and gives me goosebumps running out at every stadium, let alone you’re home stadium.
“I can’t wait to run out at AMT Headingley in front of all the Leeds fans and for them to get to know me as a person and not just a player. I’m really excited to get the ball rolling and win some games, fingers crossed down the track we can win some silverware.”
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🤝 New @leedsrhinos signings Ethan O’Neill & Jeremiah Mata’utia met their teammates for the first time today..
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📺 https://t.co/aQ8ZfCJqMX#leedsrhinos | #BBCRL pic.twitter.com/xhtp7UbGH4— BBC Sport West Yorkshire (@BBCWYS) November 14, 2025
