Nene Macdonald joins the Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed the signing of centre Nene Macdonald from Leigh Leopards on two-year contract.

The 28-year-old Papua New Guinea international will join up with the Rhinos with immediate effect and is reunited with Rhinos Head Coach Rohan Smith, who coached him at Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup competition in Australia.

Macdonald started all four games for Papua New Guinea at the recent Rugby League World Cup, the third World Cup of his career already, having helped Leigh to promotion last season from the Championship into Super League. He scored a remarkable 27 tries in 27 appearances for the Leopards last season having joined the club from Norths Devils having helped Rohan Smith's old club to Grand Final glory in 2021. He has played nearly 100 games in the NRL with Sydney, Gold Coast, St George Illawarra, North Queensland and Cronulla as well as representing Queensland at Under 20 level.

Macdonald will team up with his countrymate Rhyse Martin at the Rhinos, having been part of the Kumuls progress to the World Cup Quarter Finals alongside each other.

Commenting on his signing Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Rohan Smith said, "I am delighted to be bringing Nene to the Rhinos. He is a big, physical player who can play either at centre or on the wing. He can break tackles and offload the ball to keep the team on the front foot. He is maturing in his life and his rugby and I know his young family have settled really well to life in the UK over the last year. I think his best years are ahead of him and I am looking forward to seeing him develop even further at the Rhinos."

Looking ahead to joining up with the Rhinos, Macdonald said, "I am very excited and I can't wait to join up with the Rhinos. This is why you play the game, for the chance to be at the top level and really test myself, especially with a great team like the Rhinos. Joining up with Rohan again was a big part of me coming to Leeds. He backed me when I needed somewhere to go when he signed me at the Devils and we won a Championship together, if he wanted me, I was keen to jump on board.

"I was talking to Rhyse Martin a lot when we were in camp with Papua New Guinea and he was so positive about the club. He has always been a big influence on my career, we first played alongside each other in the U20s at the Roosters, and I have always looked up to him. He's a good bloke and I trust his advice. Likewise, Paul Aiton told me that if Leeds Rhinos offer me a chance, that I have to take it with both hands. He loved his time at Headingley and he said his only regret was that he didn't stay longer.

"I am really grateful to Leigh for the opportunity they gave me last year. I was pleased I could play my part in helping them return to Super League. My wife and son love it over here and it was definitely a good decision to come over. I can't wait to put a Rhinos jumper on, I have heard about how crazy the fans are, and I am excited to play in front of big crowds because you don?t get that sort of passion over in Australia," added Macdonald.