Tetevano on his way

Leeds Rhinos have been given a boost with the news that New Zealand international Zane Tetevano has received his visa clearance to travel to the UK and join up with his new club. 

The Rhinos announced the signing of the 30-year-old from NRL side Penrith Panthers on a three year deal in December. 

He has featured in two of the last three NRL Grand Finals including last year’s clash with Melbourne Storm for the Panthers. He started both wins for New Zealand against the Great Britain RL Lions in 2019 as well as making his Test debut against Australia. 

He joined Penrith last season on a two year deal from Sydney Roosters but gained a release from the final year of his Panthers contract to join the Rhinos. He spent three seasons at the Roosters, playing in the 2018 Grand Final win as well as winning the World Club Challenge against Wigan in 2019. 

The prop played for the Cook Islands in the 2013 World Cup in England, making five appearances in total for them before switching to New Zealand in 2019. He started his NRL career with Newcastle Knights, joining the club in 2008 as a teenager from Tokoroa, in New Zealand’s Waikato region. He made his NRL debut in 2011 and played alongside former Rhino Adam Cuthbertson at the Knights. Tetevano has now played over 120 games in the NRL.

Commenting on the news Director of Rugby Kevin Sinfield said, “Zane has now received his visa, which is great news. He has been speaking to some of the squad to get to know the boys and is training hard over in Australia. With the current lockdown situation here, it is likely that he will not travel over until later next month. He is an experienced international with high personal standards for his training. To ask him to move over here with his young family and not be able to leave the house for a prolonged period would be unnecessary at this stage. The plan at present is for him to come over with Matt Prior when he returns to camp.??

Fijian international King Vuniyayawa is also set to join the Rhinos once he has received his visa.