The Leeds Rhinos boss has commented on Hull FC’s two loan deals.
Ethan O’Neill has joined Hull FC on a one-month loan deal.(Image: SW PIX)
Brad Arthur has confirmed that Leeds Rhinos hold a recall option on Hull FC loan pair Ethan O’Neill and Jeremiah Mata’utia. That recall option can be exercised after one week, in other words, after Sunday’s Super League game at Bradford Bulls.
The Black and Whites have acquired both players on one-month loan deals. O’Neill is set to make his club debut at Odsal, while Mata’utia has played the last two games for Andy Last’s side.
Arthur, speaking in his pre-match press conference, also confirmed that Harry Newman will play for Leeds against Wigan Warriors on Friday night. Newman has played the last three Super League games for Hull but will now return to the Rhinos side after an injury to Jack Bird was confirmed.
Commenting on O’Neill and Mata’utia’s moves, Arthur said: “They are Leeds players, and we’re going to reiterate that. They’ve gone on a month’s loan, just so they can do that properly, and they can review and preview games and get a real good crack at it.
“But we need to make sure that we’ve got the understanding that that’s only a week at a time. It’s a month’s loan, but we can recall them after a week at any time if we need them. And that player understands that and knows that because we don’t want them to feel like they’ve been farmed out from our club.
“It’s just an opportunity to get them some game time at a team that needs them. They need a back row at the moment, do Hull, and previously no one needed a back rower. It’s worked out handy for us, but if form suffers or injuries happen to guys in our team, we can recall them anytime we like.”
And on Newman, Arthur added: “Jack’s knee is a bit grumbly and we’ve opted just to give him a quick cleanout. He will miss two games. Harry will come back into the team and he gets his opportunity.
“He doesn’t need to do anything different to what his strengths are. We just need him to make sure he’s nice and busy and brings a hoop of energy and urgency around his defence.
“He’s had the luxury and the benefit of playing for Hull. That worked out for us, keeping him match-fit and keeping the physicality and the contact up.
“It’s hard when you go into a new team and new system and try to fit in, but I think he’s done that quite well. But the biggest thing is just the consistency of playing week in, week out, and getting your body knocked around a little bit.”