Leeds new boy Zane Tetevano hails 'GOAT' Kevin Sinfield

Rhinos director of rugby Sinfield has brought in the 6ft 2in, 17st 7lb Tetevano to add the steel to the Leeds pack that has been missing since the retirement of Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai in 2015.

The 30-year-old New Zealand international has joined the Rhinos on a three-year contract from Penrith and will have his first training session with the club on Monday after completing a quarantine period.

He says he jumped at the chance to follow in the footsteps of players like Sinfield, Peacock and Rob Burrow and will be thrilled to wear Sinfield’s old number 13 jersey.

“When you get a phone call from Kevin Sinfield, the GOAT (greatest of all time) of Super League, it meant a lot to me and my family,” he said.

“Kev had an awesome career out of the number 13 shirt and it definitely put shivers up my spine.

“I’m never going to be a Kevin Sinfield, though, I’m going to do it my own way and I’m ready to take the challenge on.”

Former captain Sinfield returned to the Rhinos in July 2018 as the club’s first director of rugby and, after overseeing their Challenge Cup triumph in 2020, is hoping to follow it up with Super League success.

He said “When I came back two and a half years ago, I said ‘give me three years to fix it and, if I can’t, I’ll go do something else’.

“It’s important to stop now and again and reflect and that’s what lockdown has allowed people to do.

“When I came back and I looked at our roster, there were some things that needed addressing and I feel the club is in a much better place, whether that is in 2021 or for the next five or 10 years.

“I’m really happy with where the squad is at and really with our staff and coaching team.

“But the board will obviously make a decision down the track and, if things don’t go to plan, I’m not going to wait around and stay because I just want to earn some cash. It’s got to be right for everybody.

“I came back because I love the club and that will always remain.”