Leeds Rhinos signing Jeremiah Mata’utia has told Super League players and fans to expect a faster product in 2026 with referees making changes to how the ruck is officiated.
The Rhinos played their first pre-season game of the off-season on Boxing Day as Brad Arthur’s side claimed an 18-10 win over Wakefield Trinity at Headingley Stadium, with Mata’utia, Danny Levi and Ethan O’Neill all getting their first run outs in blue and amber.
The three new signings were included in what was a young Leeds side, with Wakefield boss Daryl Powell mixing his side up with some academy players, too. As such, there wasn’t a huge amount for either head coach to take away from the game.
However, one thing we did learn was that referees look set to be stricter with how the ruck is managed. Referee Marcus Griffiths awarded 13 set restarts during the friendly in West Yorkshire with 13 penalties being given, too, although not all of them were ruck infringements.
As such, the game was played at a faster pace with the officials making an effort to tidy up the ruck and it comes following criticism from those down under for the way the ruck has been refereed in the Northern Hemisphere game.
“It was pretty fast,” Mata’utia said following his first appearance for the Rhinos. “There’s new rules coming in next year so it was great to get a taste of what Super League is going to be about and I can’t wait to play here again.
“It definitely felt fast. The new rules are always a bit harsh when it’s played in a game like this so it’s good to get used to it and work on it in training.”
Mata’utia made the move over from North Queensland Cowboys on a one-year deal after impressing in the Queensland Cup with Mackay Cutters. As such, the New Zealander is a long way from home during the festive period, but he was invited to spend Christmas Day with a familiar face in ex-Rhinos and current Cowboys Women outside back Fran Goldthorp.
“A big shout out to Fran Goldthorp, she invited me and my partner to have Christmas dinner with their family, so a big shout out to them and really grateful for having us over for dinner,” Mata’utia said.
On his pre-season goal, the prop added: “I’m really hoping to try and make round one and be an in and out player for Brad, continue to work hard for him and build my game as I go on.”
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