Former Cowboys forward Jeremiah Mata’utia is aiming to win a place in the Leeds team for their trip to Vegas and has revealed how NRLW star Fran Goldthorp had helped him and partner China Polata overcome home sickness at Christmas.

Mata’utia made his first appearance for Brad Arthur’s team in their Boxing Day clash with Wakefield as the Rhinos began preparations for Vegas with an 18-10 win before an 11,000 crowd at Headlingley.

Polata, who will join the Sharks in 2026, played with Goldthorp at the Cowboys, and the England fullback invited the Queensland Origin representative and 21-year-old Mata’utia to spend Christmas with her family in Leeds.  

“I have to give a big shout out to Fran Goldthorp, she invited me and my partner to have Christmas dinner with her family,” Mata’utia said after the match.

“We were really grateful to them for having us there for Christmas.”




Jeremiah Mata'utia revealed after his debut for Leeds how a Cowboys connection with Fran Goldthorp was helping to settle into life in England.


Jeremiah Mata’utia revealed after his debut for Leeds how a Cowboys connection with Fran Goldthorp was helping to settle into life in England.
©Leeds Rhinos

Mata’utia came off the bench against Wakefield, along with former Raiders hooker Danny Levi, and now has his sights set on earning a regular spot in Arthur’s side ahead of the February 28 clash with Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium.

The Super League match is part of a triple-header at the roofed stadium, which includes season opening NRL fixtures between the Bulldogs and Dragons, and Cowboys and Knights. 

“It was good to get my first taste of what Super League is going to be like,” Mata’utia said.

“I am really hoping to make Round 1 and continue to work hard for Brad and build my game as I go on.” 

Rhinos fans had the opportunity to see all three of the club’s new signings in action for the first time, with Ethan O’Neill starting in the back row.

The Leeds lineup also included boom half-back George Brown, who has shown plenty of promise during pre-season and was named man-of-the-match.


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Points came for Brad Arthur’s side on 15 minutes through fullback Alfie Edgell, before Brown mustered a remarkable solo effort which saw the half back to weave his way through the Trinity defence and cross for a well-worked try.

Trailing12-0, Wakefield needed to score next and they did through Isaiah Vagana as the forward forced his way to the line. With half time in sight, the Rhinos quickly restored their 12-point advantage as Riley Lumb connected with a grubber kick ahead from five-eighth Chris Hankinson to make the score 18-6 at the break.

Leeds fans got a chance to see hooker Levi in action and got a preview of the damage Mata’utia is capable of, along with a number of exciting youngsters.

Levi thought he had scored in the second half after sneaking over out from dummy half but referee Marcus Griffiths ruled he was held up.


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Leeds Rhinos

21. Alfie Edgell, 3. Harley Thomas, 18. Max Simpson, 24. Ned McCormack, 22. Riley Lumb; 14. Chris Hankinson (C), 7. George Brown; 10. Tom Holroyd, 9. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Cooper Jenkins, 25. Ben Littlewod, 16. Ethan O’Neill, 13. Keenan Palasia. Interchange: 19. Jeremiah Mata’utia, 23. Danny Levi, 26. Tom Nicholson-Watton, 4. Marcus Qareqare, 2. Oscar Brown, 5. Jacob Hardy, 20. Jacob Tooala, 6. Harry Smith, 12. Jacob Stead, 17. Zak Lloyd, 11. Oliver Smart, 1. Joe Diskin, 8. Joe Butterfield

Wakefield Trinity

1. Robbie Brook, 21. Jayden Myers, 2. Oliver Pratt, 4. Corey Hall, 32. Will Tate; 27. Myles Lawford, 20. Jack Sinfield; 10. Ky Rodwell, 17. Harvey Smith, 16. Caius Faatili, 3. Cameron Scott, 18. Isaiah Vagana, 13. Charlie Abraham. Interchange: 31. Kian McGann, 24. Tray Lolesio, 25. Jordan Williams, 14. Cass Walker-Smith, 28. Ewan Molyneux, 19. Alfie Briggs, 22. Harry Ratcliffe, 23. Dom Sinfield, 19. Rowan Stephenson.

Leeds18: Edgell (15), Brown (20), Lumb (39 tries); Hankinson 3/3 goals) beat Wakefield 10 (Vagana (31), Myers (78) tries; Sinfield 1/2 goals).