Leeds Rhinos signing Jeremiah Mata'utia talks lofty ambitions, climate shock and ex-boss Adam Cuthbertson

Born in Otahuhu, New Zealand, the towering prop played second-tier rugby for Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters and was part of North Queensland Cowboys’ squad before joining Leeds. He hasn’t featured in southern hemisphere’s elite NRL and, at 21, will be among the youngest imports in Betfred Super League next year, but reckons the stint in England can take his game to a new level.

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I’ve heard there’s a bit of chat about NRL people coming here as a kind of retirement, but I see it as an opportunity to get better. My focus is the here and now and to be my best for Leeds Rhinos, but eventually I do want to go back and play in the NRL. I have come here to get better. Brad [Arthur] is a good coach, he has experience in the NRL and he has come here and done really well. I am hoping I can learn a lot from him.”

Cooper Jenkins was in a similar situation last year, joining Leeds from the Queensland Cup with no NRL games under his belt. He played 24 times in 2025 and recently signed a new contract, something Mata’utia is open to if things work out.

His one-year deal includes an option in the club’s favour for 2027 and he added: “Hopefully it will all go well. The boys have been talking about the crowds here, they say Headingley is a good crowd and wherever you go here they are good fans so I am excited to experience that.”

Leeds fans could get a first look at Mata’utia in the annual Boxing Day Festive Challenge against Wakefield Trinity at AMT Headingley. “That was a bit of a shock to me,” he said of playing the day after Christmas. “I’ve never experienced that, I am used to having Christmas and New Year off, but it will be good to have a change. I’ll just have to have a bit less food on Christmas Day, but I am pretty excited about it.”

Mackay, who Mata’utia featured for 18 times last season, are coached by former Rhinos favourite Adam Cuthbertson. The Australian forward was a member of Leeds’ 2015 treble-winning side, featured in the 2017 Super League Grand Final success and made his final appearance for Rhinos in a Wembley victory five years ago.

“He didn’t know I was coming here,” Mata’utia revealed. “I didn’t know he played for Leeds until I watched a game back and saw him play. It looked like he was a pretty good player and he is a good coach. He said congratulations and told me what a good club this is and the history behind it.”

Something Cuthbertson couldn’t prepare Mata’utia for in the English weather. With pre-season beginning in November, overseas recruits arrive in the darkest - and often coldest - days of the year. Having previously lived in tropical Queensland, Matau’tia admitted English conditions have come as a shock. “I’d be lying if I said it was easy,” he conceded. “It is pretty hard; people say it is the same as New Zealand, but no, it’s way colder here - way, way, way colder. I am still surprised when it goes dark by 4pm.”

But he stressed: “It is good, the boys are treating me well. Pre-season is pretty much the hardest thing you do in your footy career, but being around the boys has been good and Brad has been good. Everyone has been a big help.”

Mata’utia travelled to England with his partner China Polata, a former North Queensland Cowboys teammate of ex-Leeds star Fran Goldthorp in the NRL Women’s competition. Sadly for Rhinos, she recently signed a two-year deal with Cronulla Sharks, ruling out a stint in Women’s Super League.