Leeds Rhinos news: Ethan O'Neill makes 'something special' vow, explains move from Leigh Leopards

O’Neill joined Rhinos last month on a three-year deal and replaces James Bentley, who was released from his contract in October. The Australian second-rower scored seven tries in 22 games for Leigh Leopards after joining them from Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears last autumn.

The move was a surprise following O’Neill’s eye-catching first season in England, but explaining his decision to come to Leeds, the 26-year-old insisted: “It was the opportunity, they have got such a culture and history. It is a history-rich club here, they’ve got a really good spine and players who can not only make me better, but I feel like I can add to that crew of boys and hopefully go on to win something and make something special.”

O’Neill stressed: “We have got a special group here, the coaching staff have been awesome. From the outside looking in this year, Leeds looked good. BA [Brad Arthur] is a really good coach and I wanted to be part of that. I feel like it is going to be good for me and my career.

“At the end of the day, I want to do what’s best for me. This was the best avenue for me and I feel like I can make the most out of the opportunity, take it with both hands and do something great here.”

O’Neil, who featured in both of Rhinos’ wins over Leigh in 2025, added: “Playing against them last year, they are a real strong group. They are a tight-knit group and I feel like I can add something to that. Everyone’s a good-calibre player, they all know what they are doing and what their role is. That shows what type of club they have got here. They have got something big brewing so it is exciting to be part of.”

Though he hasn’t played in the southern hemisphere NRL, O’Neill had stints training with South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane Broncos and also featured in the Queensland Cup for Tweed Seagulls and Central Capras, as well as with the Rabbitohs’ second string in the New South Wales competition. The 26-year-old is son of former Leigh, London Broncos, Wigan Warriors, Widnes Vikings and Wakefield Trinity half-back Julian O’Neill. Though born in Sydney, he played his first junior rugby in this country and is not on the overseas quota.

Reflecting on the first weeks of pre-season, O’Neill said: “It has been really good, everyone has been helping me out and I am settling in really nice. The coaches have been really good, teaching me new things every week, every day. I am always learning day by day, which is really good and I am enjoying pre-season so far and getting to know everyone. It has been awesome.”

O’Neill doesn’t have long to wait for a first meeting with his former club. Leeds travel to Leigh in Betfred Super League round one, on Friday, February 13. “I was excited, I got butterflies,” he said of seeing the fixture list.

“It was nervous excitement, I can’t wait to play them, at Leigh as well. I thought it was pretty ironic, my first game with Leeds is going to be against Leigh at their home ground. It is really exciting. I wanted to circle that game and mark it down as one I want to play really well in. Obviously I want to play really well in every game, but that was one I earmarked.”

O’Neill missed Leigh’s final four regular-season games because of injury and didn’t feature in their play-off campaign, which may give him a point to prove. He vowed: “I just want to play my best football week-in, week-out, but I am using it as motivation as well, going up against old team mates and coaching staff and crowd. I want to put my best foot forward every game, especially against them. I just want to keep improving week-in and week-out and be the best version of myself on and off the field.”

O’Neill will be part of Rhinos’ pre-season training camp in Tenerife late this month and could pull a Rhinos jersey on for the first time on Boxing Day in the annual Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge against Wakefield Trinity. “I can’t wait to play at Headingley,” he said. “Playing there last year for Leigh and seeing how passionate they are, that was pretty cool. It is exciting I can be a part of it. It’s going to be cool.”