Zane Tetevano will be wonderful for Leeds Rhinos, says Kevin Sinfield

New Zealand international Zane Tetevano will give Leeds Rhinos the type of presence they have missed ever since winning the treble in 2015 – believes Kevin Sinfield.

The club announced the signing of the highly-rated Penrith Panthers prop on Christmas Day but, with the ongoing Covid situation, he only arrived in the UK this week.

Tetevano, 30, has appeared in two of the last three NRL Grand Finals and Sinfield, Leeds’ director of rugby, said: “I’m really happy with our recruitment.

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“To get Bodene (Thompson) for a couple of years, to get King (Vuniyayawa) over and, as you can probably tell, we have just missed a Zane Tetevano (type) for the last couple of years.

“Since JP (Jamie Peacock) and Kyle (Leuluai) retired, the pack has had a different feel here.

“We’ve had some wonderful middles but I am really looking forward to this year.

“Zane’s been itching to get over right from minute one.

“I’ve no doubt he’ll be wonderful for us. He will have a huge impact for us and just add some real quality.”

Zane Tetevano of the Penrith Panthers thanks fans after winning the round 17 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on September 03, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images)Zane Tetevano of the Penrith Panthers thanks fans after winning the round 17 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on September 03, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Zane Tetevano of the Penrith Panthers thanks fans after winning the round 17 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium on September 03, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images)
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Peacock and Leuluai were two of the best front-rows of the Super League era and Leeds will hope former Sydney Roosters star Tetevano can make his own mark with the Challenge Cup holders.

Meanwhile, fellow prop Matt Prior, Rhinos’ player of the year, is due to land back in the UK on Tuesday.

He has been on a break in Australia since the end of last year and was expected to return alongside Tetevano this week but was delayed for family reasons.

Asked if there was ever a danger of Prior not returning, Sinfield said there had been “a little bit of concern” but he “absolutely knows he is fully committed” to the club.

Leeds Rhinos new signing King Vuniyayawa in training (Picture: Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos/SWpix.com)Leeds Rhinos new signing King Vuniyayawa in training (Picture: Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos/SWpix.com)
Leeds Rhinos new signing King Vuniyayawa in training (Picture: Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos/SWpix.com)
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