Leeds Rhinos new powerhouse prop Zane Tetevano

Leeds Rhinos have signed powerhouse prop Zane Tetevano ahead of the 2021 Betfred Super League season, he will add size, aggression and experience after joining on a three-year deal.

For those who are not avid NRL watchers, Tetevano will be a new name to Leeds Rhinos and Super League fans. The New Zealand and Cook Island international will join the Rhinos from Penrith Panthers.

Leeds director rugby Kevin Sinfield said “Once we became aware of Zane’s availability, he was our number one priority to strengthen our squad for next season and we are delighted to get the deal done” “I would like to thank Penrith Panthers for their co-operation to complete the move.

“We have got an exciting crop of young players coming through at the Rhinos and to add a current international with a proven track record of winning will give our group a tremendous lift.

We look forward to seeing Zane in blue and amber in 2021.”

Tetevano said this on his move to Leeds “My personal motto is that I like to be challenged and this move is the next challenge for me,” he said. I have had my time in the NRL and had some amazing opportunities and been part of some incredible teams.

“I am excited to be coming to Leeds. I have been doing my research on the history of the club so I have an emotional connection with the highs and lows of being a Rhino. I played some of the big guys from Super League with New Zealand against Great Britain and some of those guys are absolute beasts. I am keen to test myself against them on a week to week basis.”

Zane started his career at Newcastle Knights in 2011 before making a move to Sydney Roosters in 2017. He made 74 appearances at the Roosters and was a part of the Sydney side which defeated Melbourne Storm 21-6 in the 2018 NRL Grand Final.

The 30 year old was part of the Sydney squad which won the NRL Grand Final a year later against Canberra Raiders. Before making his move to Penrith, making 19 appearances in the 2020 season helping his side to the NRL Grand Final.

Melbourne Storm stood in their way of their first Premiership since 2003. But it wasn’t to be, with the Storm racing into a 22-0 lead at the break. The Panthers managed to get themselves back into the game in the second half but it came too late, as Melbourne held on for the victory.

Leeds head coach Richard Agar spoke about his new signing. “When we looked at Zane he was ticking the boxes we needed ticking; skill, size, presence, aggression, fitness, an international who has won Grand Finals and knows about winning things.

“It’s the next step in the evolution of our team. Your roster is continuously taking shape, some recruitment years are better than others and you get what fits your club at the time too, and we feel like Zane does that.”

Tetevano will be looking to start his Leeds Rhinos career off in style against Wakefield Trinity in round one. Chris Chester’s side will be tough opposition for Leeds, with Wakefield coming away with a comfortable 30-6 win in the first meeting between the sides last season. Leeds did revenge the loss in the second meeting with a narrow 20-18 victory over Trinity.

The forward will be a big addition to the Rhinos pack for the 2021 season.

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