Leeds Rhinos hooker Danny Levi is raring to go in his second Super League spell, after joining the club this off-season.
The former Canberra Raiders man spent one season in the UK, featuring for Huddersfield Giants in 2022.
An ex-international with New Zealand and Samoa, Levi joins Leeds on a two-year contract, and will battle with fellow hooker Jarrod O’Connor for the starting nine spot.
Speaking on the club’s YouTube Channel whilst out in Tenerife for a pre-season holiday camp, the recently-turned 30-year-old revealed how thrilled he was to be part of the Blue and Amber set-up.
“It’s been good,” said Levi, when asked how he was adjusting to his new club. “The boys are awesome, it’s nice to be in Tenerife and have a bit of sun. Bit of a nicer change to the cold dark days, but I’ve enjoyed it so far.
“[The boys are] a real good bunch of dudes. There’s a few characters in the team, but they’ve all been awesome and very welcoming.”
The 141-time NRL player also revealed that a move to Leeds was on the cards earlier in his career, but the deal at the time fell through. He said: “I was close to signing a few years ago, but it didn’t quite work out, but I’m happy that it’s all falling into place. I’m happy to be here.”
Levi’s first taste of action in a Rhinos shirt will be on Boxing Day, when they host Wakefield Trinity in the annual pre-season clash. He revealed that the team have been working hard through the off-season so far, but the first real test only come on game day, something he is looking forward to.
“It’s out first game back and I’m sure all the boys are going to be excited for it. It will be good to blow the cobwebs out and get the lungs working a bit,” he said.
“You can run all you want in pre-season, bit every time we get to the first game, it’s been quite tiring, but it’ll be good. I’m just excited to chuck the colours on and get a run around.”
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Leeds Rhinos signing talks Jarrod O’Connor competition and style of play
Questions have been asked through the off-season in regards to who will be Leeds’ first choice hooker, with both Levi and O’Connor being suitable candidates in their own way.
Each have a different way of playing, with Levi being more attack-focused and O’Connor thriving in defence. The ex-Canberra man revealed that he’s been getting on well with his positional rival, and hopes the two’s competitive edge will bring out the best in both of them.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Jarrod,” he said. “He’s a real grinder. He works hard. He’s one of the hardest workers and that’s someone everyone loves to play with.
“I’m excited to work with him and I feel like my style of the game will definitely suit the forwards, and bring them onto the ball, and they’re trying to get plenty of quick play the balls for me, which I enjoy. I’m excited to get behind them.”
“The team went really well last year, they just fell short, but there’s a lot of quality players, especially in the forward pack, a lot of mobile, fast, agile forward pack which is good for me and that suits my game.
“I like to get out and run a bit and work with my forward there, so anything I can do to help the forward pack and the team in general, that’s what I’ll be trying to do.”
As mentioned, Leeds are currently out in Tenerife for a warm weather training camp. With fellow Super League side, and Levi’s ex-club, Huddersfield Giants, also out there at the moment, Leeds confirmed that the two teams will have an opposed training session to end the camp on Thursday.
