Why it's second time lucky for Leeds Rhinos as new signing Danny Levi opens up on previous link

Hooker Danny Levi is beginning a two-year contract with Rhinos, having joined them last month from Australian club Canberra Raiders. He spent the 2022 season at Huddersfield Giants and was linked with Leeds the following year, when they were coached by Rohan Smith.

Levi, who played under Smith at Queensland Cup side Norths Devils, told The Yorkshire Evening Post the prospect of winning silverware with Rhinos was too good to turn down this time around. “There was an opportunity for me to come [to Leeds] and I was really close to taking that up,” he confirmed.

“It was sort of a last-minute thing, Canberra ended up extending and my missus had a good career over there, so I thought the best thing for my family was to stay over there. But I am at the point now where I want to win something and I feel like I can do that here.”

Levi was within minutes of being a Challenge Cup winner with Giants, only to suffer last-gasp heartbreak against Wigan Warriors in a final played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He recalled: “We had a pretty successful year; I absolutely loved my footy when I was over here, it was good fun and I am excited to be back.

“It was always in my plans to come back to England. When I first came over I was a bit younger, my family were missing home a bit and when an opportunity came to go back, I took it. But I am at that stage of my career where I want to win a championship and I see that opportunity here.

“With the team we have got and what they did last year, I think we can definitely win it - I don’t think it’s a two- or three-year plan thing, I think it can happen now, this season. Where I am at in my career, I want to win some silverware and I think we can have a real go at it.”

Levi is one of three recruits, alongside forwards Jeremiah Mata’utia and Ethan O’Neill, in what he described as a “definitely talented” squad for 2026. He insisted: “The forward pack is unreal and we’ve got some class outside-backs. Our spine has got to be one of the best in Super League at the moment. I am really excited to be part of it.”

On a personal note, Levi, who turns 30 tomorrow (Friday) reckons he is “a lot more” prepared now than before his previous stint in Super League. “It was definitely a shock to the body, a shock to everything - culturally and all that sort of stuff - when I first came over,” he admitted. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I feel like I’ve got into a bit of a rhythm and a groove here.”

Previous number nine Andy Ackers was released from his contract to make way for Levi, who has represented New Zealand and Samoa at international level and played in the NRL with Newcastle Knights, Manly Sea Eagles and Brisbane Broncos before his three seasons at Canberra. After featuring only twice in the NRL last year and spending most of the season in the second-grade New South Wales Cup, proving he can still thrive at the top level is high on his agenda for 2026.

He reflected: “The first year I was there [Canberra] I was pretty unlucky, I broke my jaw twice so I was out most of the year. The second year, I played the whole season and last year was a rollercoaster, but that’s how footy goes sometimes. I guess they thought I was getting a bit older and wanted to blood some young fellas, but I know I have still got heaps to give and I know what I can bring.”

Deciding on a first-choice hooker is one of the challenges facing coach Brad Arthur in pre-season. Jarrod O’Connor started 22 of Rhinos’ 30 competitive games last term and Levi said: “I watched him last year and he goes hard, he does all the little things that no one sees from looking outside in. I knew a fair bit about him from Rohan Smith, he was telling me all about Jarrod and I am really excited to be working with him.

“I am quite close with Rohan, I caught up with him just before I left and he was telling me all about Leeds and the boys. He was definitely a fan of Jarrod O’Connor and he said I’ll definitely enjoy working with him.”