Hull FC have signed another Leeds Rhinos player on loan.
10:53, 21 Apr 2026Updated 12:25, 21 Apr 2026
Harry Newman in action for Hull FC.(Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Hull FC have signed Leeds Rhinos forward Jeremiah Mata’utia on loan. The prop – who will fill the quota spot made vacant by Liam Knight’s exit at the end of February – will link up with the Black and Whites on an initial one-week deal.
Meanwhile, Hull have also secured the services of Harry Newman for another week, with the centre debuting for the club against St Helens last Thursday night. Both players are now set to feature in Friday’s Super League game away at Castleford Tigers, with their status then reviewed on a week-to-week basis.
Both players trained with the Rhinos on Monday but will now link up with Hull, who are preparing for their first game under Andy Last. The Hull-born coach – as per the 2020 season – has been placed in interim charge following the news that John Cartwright had been ‘stepped down’ as of Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Mata’utia is a New Zealand-born forward who joined Leeds from NRL outfit North Queensland Cowboys ahead of the 2026 season. He spent last year playing in the Queensland Cup with Mackay Cutters and has featured twice for Brad Arthur’s side this season. He also appeared for the Townsville Blackhawks in 2023.
The 21-year-old, who stands at 6 feet 5 inches, is now expected to replace former Rhinos forward Sam Lisone in the Hull side. Lisone picked up a bicep injury against the Saints last week, with scans to determine the full severity. Fellow prop Matty Laidlaw is also a doubt with a dead leg, while Hull are also monitoring the status of one or two other players.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arthur said on the two Rhinos loans: “Harry played well for Hull last week and he needs to repeat that again this week. He was strong. He carried well and he was good defensively, which was important to me.
“It’s tough. He went in on the back of just a captain’s run and in a captain’s run, you don’t get through a great deal. He’s in there today training with them so he should be better again this week. He will feel a bit more comfortable with his team.”
On Mata’utia, Arthur continued: “Bleasy (Ian Blease, Sporting Director) and I have been talking about it for a week or two, and to Jeremiah. We’ve been trying to get him some game time, but we needed a club.
“He played reserves last week. We’re trying to do what’s best for our club and our players. It’s a week-to-week proposition.”