JEREMIAH MATA’UTIA will be leaving Leeds Rhinos at the end of the 2026 season, head coach Brad Arthur has confirmed.
Mata’utia joined the Rhinos ahead of this campaign on a one-year deal with the option of a further year.
However, the Headingley outfit will not be taking that option.
Arthur said: “Bleasey (Leeds’ sporting director Ian Blease) has had a conversation with his manager. At this stage Jerry is aware we won’t be taking that option up.”
The 21-year-old could, however, still play a part for the Rhinos for the remainder of the campaign, despite spending the past two months on loan at Hull FC.
“It is week to week. He has got to work hard and fight hard,” Arthur continued.
“We are healthy, especially in the forwards. He joins the list of quite a few guys who are sitting at the moment waiting.
“Their job at the moment is to train well to make sure they are ready if an opportunity comes along, but also to prepare the Super League team on a weekly basis.
“It’s not just the 17 guys who go out there that contribute to the performance, it’s also what we do during the week at training and the level of intensity our reserve team train at and what they throw at us to get us ready for a game.
“That’s his responsibility and if he gets an opportunity he has to be ready.”