Zane Tetevano alone will make Leeds Rhinos a better team says coach Richard Agar

Star signing Zane Tetevano will make Leeds Rhinos a “significantly” better team this year, according to coach Richard Agar.
Coach Richard Agar supervises Rhinos' training in the snow at Kirkstall on Friday. Picture by Phil Daly.Coach Richard Agar supervises Rhinos' training in the snow at Kirkstall on Friday. Picture by Phil Daly.
Coach Richard Agar supervises Rhinos' training in the snow at Kirkstall on Friday. Picture by Phil Daly.

So far, the New Zealand Test prop is Rhinos’ only signing since the end of last season, but Agar insisted: “We think that one player alone will significantly improve our team.”

Tetevano is awaiting a work permit before jetting to Leeds and Agar said: “He ticks every box we were looking for - size, athletic ability, he has a good pair of hands, experience, aggression and he is currently at the top of his game.

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“We feel he is a very good fit for us and we will be a very good fit for him too.”

Mikolaj Oledzki, middle, trains alongside Cameron Smith during Friday's blizzard. Picture by Phil Daly.Mikolaj Oledzki, middle, trains alongside Cameron Smith during Friday's blizzard. Picture by Phil Daly.
Mikolaj Oledzki, middle, trains alongside Cameron Smith during Friday's blizzard. Picture by Phil Daly.

Tetevano began his career with Newcastle Knights and featured for Sydney Roosters in their 2018 NRL Grand Final-winning side against Melbourne Storm. He was a substitute for Penrith when they lost to Melbourne in last year’s title-decider.

Born in New Zealand, he played five times for Cook Islands from 2009-2016 and was capped by the Kiwis in three 2019 Test matches, including two against Great Britain.

“His record over the last four or five years is impressive,” Agar said. “He played for the minor premiers [team finishing top of the table] last year, he has played in two of the last three NRL Grand Finals and the last three Test matches for New Zealand.

“That is a very solid record, he is a good signing for us.”

Tom Holroyd looked to be feeling the cold at training in the snow on Friday. Picture by Phil Daly.Tom Holroyd looked to be feeling the cold at training in the snow on Friday. Picture by Phil Daly.
Tom Holroyd looked to be feeling the cold at training in the snow on Friday. Picture by Phil Daly.
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England Knights powerhouse Mikolaj Oledzki - who played more games for Leeds than anyone else last year - has moved up the order to number eight after Ava Seumanufagai was released from his contract last month for personal reasons.

He is likely to be one of Rhinos’ four main front-rowers in 2021, alongside reigning player of the year Matt Prior, Tetevano and youngster Tom Holroyd, with back-up being provided by Bodene Thompson and James Donaldson.

The search for another big man is on-going, but the coronavirus pandemic and England’s latest lockdown has made that more difficult and the number of props on the market is limited.

Agar said: “Where Ava’s concerned, the timing could have been better for us, but we understand his situation and he was very honest with us.

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“Now we’ve got Zane we are certainly not lacking in quality to start the season.

“We might be lacking one in depth, but I am confident we can rectify that moving forward.

“We would certainly like to replace Ava, but it is quite clear the market this year for front-rowers is a tough one.

“If you are after centres or second-rowers, I don’t think it would be as difficult.

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“Having said that, there’s one or two things moving for us, but in terms of the quality of our middle to start the season, I am happy where it’s at.”

Agar added: “Another big body would be great for us, but we also feel at 110kg and his versatility, Bodene Thompson can very much play middle for us as he did a number of times last year.

“We feel Bodene has the size, engine and experience to do a really good job for us if needed in that spot.

“We have also got Cam Smith and James Donaldson who play as middles, albeit back-rowers.

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“We are not panicking, we have certainly got enough depth and quality there, but we would like another big body to replace Ava for sure.”

The coach also stressed the need for Rhinos to bring players through from their youth system.

“We feel our way forward as a club is to develop our own,” he stated.

“We have seen the development in Mikolaj Oledzki over the last 12 months, Cameron Smith has made strides and we feel there’s definitely more to come from him and we think Tom Holroyd is a player of immense promise.

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“While he struggled with his hand towards the back end of last year, playing with one arm at times, that is fixed up and he is making terrific progress rehabilitating his arm.

“We are expecting him to challenge for a spot in our 17 every week.

“We want to continue to promote these young players as much as we can, especially the ones we think can be top-line Super League players for years to come.”

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