'Ready to go': Leeds Rhinos signing Matt Lodge talks Super League move, English crowds and future plans

The strong-running front-rower arrived in Leeds three days ago to begin a contract until the end of this season. He is in contention to make his Rhinos debut away to York Knights on Sunday.

Lodge joins Leeds from North Queensland Cowboys having played 15 times in the southern hemisphere NRL this year, most recently as a substitute against Sydney Roosters on July 30. The 31-year-old is due to train with his new club for the first time today (Wednesday) and told The Yorkshire Evening Post: “The club has been really good and helpful getting me comfortable so I am ready to go.

“It has happened pretty quick, I had to pack up and leave pretty quickly. My family is still over there, but there’s not long to go [in the season] and I am ready to get to work.”

Lodge, who trained on his own on Monday to work off the jet lag, insisted he is fit and raring to go this weekend, if selected. “Everything’s good and on track to push to get in the squad,” he added. “I have played with a few of the Leeds boys - Brodie Croft, Keenan Palasia, Jack Bird and Danny Levi - and I’ve versed people like Maika Sivo. I knew Brad before I came over here as well, so it has gone pretty smoothly.”

Lodge has been keeping close tabs on his latest club. “I have grown up as a rugby league fan and, especially when I was a kid, Leeds is probably the club that springs to mind when you think of the Super League,” he stated. “I used to watch the replays of some of their games when I was like 10 years old on tv in Australia.

“I remember players like [Kevin] Sinfield and Rob Burrow when they had a champion team. I know the history behind the club and I’ve been watching the team this year, some games in the morning over in Australia. They are playing some really good footy and I’ve been keeping an eye on them, especially the last couple of weeks.”

Lodge has been brought in to strengthen Rhinos’ pack for their final four games of the regular season and play-off campaign as they chase the league leaders’ shield and a Grand Final appearance. “It’s obviously an exciting time,” he said.

“It is an important time too, there’s a lot of work to do between here and getting that trophy. It is a great time to come on board and help them in their cause. I’ll do whatever I can to be a part of it.”

Of his role for Rhinos, Lodge went on: “I am pretty fit and healthy and first and foremost I want to earn my position and get the respect of the lads I am playing with. I am open-minded to it, I’ll do whatever they want me to do. That’s usually just running hard and winning that physical battle through the middle.”

At this stage Lodge doesn’t have a club for next year and he stressed: “I have come over with an open mind. I’ve had to come over by myself because my partner’s got four kids at home and she’s pregnant, she’s having a kid in late November/December.

“I will definitely have to go home after the season for that, that was a non-negotiable and I couldn’t really do a long-term one without them coming over. I was pretty keen to come over here and show what I can do, then we can sit down and work something out.

“I’ve never been to England before and I am pretty impressed by the set up at Leeds and everyone who works here. Now I’ve just got to do my part and play well on the field for the next eight weeks, or none of it really matters.”

The first two games of Lodge’s spell are away, to York and St Helens, before home meetings with Wigan Warriors and Hull FC. “I can hear the crowds in the background on the tv when I am watching in Australia,” he said.

“I am probably a bit jealous we don’t get that in Australia. It is definitely something I am looking forward to. They’ve walked me through the stadium and the tunnel and I was pretty blown away by that.

“I am itching to get a home game, I think it will be unreal. That was part of the reason I chose to come over. I think I’d regret it in my lifetime if I didn’t come over and experience the English game.”