Leeds Rhinos departing players assessed: looking back at role played by Harry Newman, Brodie Croft and others

The huge turnaround includes half a dozen of the team who featured in last Friday’s 14-12 Betfred Super League semi-final defeat by Warrington Wolves and five with a top-17 squad number. The list features two selections in this year’s Dream Team and a couple of former Leeds player of the year winners.

Rhinos have yet to announce if veteran winger Ryan Hall, who has been offered a backroom role with the club, will play on next year and the future of prop Matt Lodge, who signed in August on a deal until the end of the campaign, is also undecided. Here we assess the departing group’s contribution to Rhinos.

Harry Newman: Perth Bears-bound Newman came through Rhinos’ academy to make his debut as a 17-year-old in 2017. He was hampered by a couple of long-term injuries, including a broken leg which robbed him of a Wembley appearance in 2020, but earned seven England caps during his time at Rhinos.

Brodie Croft: The Australian stand-off, who has signed for Warrington Wolves, was a big money signing from Salford Red Devils ahead of the 2024 season. Croft had some key moments during his three seasons with Leeds, perhaps most memorably when he scored two tries against Leigh Leopards in the first home game since Rob Burrow’s death, two years ago. He had his best campaign this year, touching down 28 times in as many appearances and being named in the Betfred Super League Dream Team.

Mikolaj Oledzki: Rhinos’ first Polish-born player, the prop made his debut as a teenager in 2017 and would have been due a testimonial next term, but for his move to Perth Bears. A product of Rhinos’ academy, he was a Challenge Cup winner six years ago, played half a dozen times for England and was Leeds’ player of the year in 2021 and 2022. Iestyn Harris, Jamie Peacock and Jake Connor are the only other players in the Super League era to have won the award in consecutive seasons.

James McDonnell: The Wigan-born second-rower was an outstanding signing from his hometown club ahead of the 2023 season, having been playing on loan in the Championship for Leigh. Initially expected to be a squad man, only injury kept him out of the 17 during his four campaigns with Leeds. This year was his second successive appearance in the Super League Dream Team.

Cameron Smith: Another product of Rhinos’ youth system, the loose-forward made his debut in 2016 and was Rhinos’ player of the year in 2023. He lost the captaincy and number 13 jersey ahead of his testimonial season this year, but played some of his best rugby in a relatively new role as a substitute. He will join Trinity next term on a four-year contract.

Jeremiah Mata’utia: The giant New Zealand-born prop joined Leeds from North Queensland Cowboys in pre-season, but played only twice, both as a substitute, though he also had a spell on loan at Hull FC.

Ned McCormack: The outside-back, who is moving to Wakefield Trinity, switched from rugby union to join Leeds three years ago. He made his debut the following season, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the side for 14 months. He got a late call into the team for last week’s semi-final against Warrington Wolves and had an outstanding game, including a vital involvement in Rhinos’ second try.