23 February 2023 , 13:09
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The wait is finally over for Leeds Rhinos recruit Nene Macdonald.
After being out of action for almost four months, the Papua New Guinea international makes his debut at last against Hull FC on Friday. Centre Macdonald, 28, signed from Leigh in December but missed last week’s opening round of Super League and all of Leeds’ friendlies due to injury. He admitted: “I can’t wait to lace up the boots with the boys now.
“It’s been a long pre-season for me. I’ve been in rehab most of the time recovering my quad from the World Cup but I can’t wait to get out there tomorrow. Leeds is such a prestigious club and I’m so excited to be a part of it especially since walking through the changing rooms for the first time and seeing all the history in that tunnel area at Headingley. It’s where a lot of rugby league started and I can’t wait to finally throw on the jersey and get out there with them.”
Rhinos were dismal when losing 42-10 at Warrington last week so they’ll be keen to right some wrongs in their first home fixture of the campaign. The addition of rangy ex-St George Illawarra three-quarter Macdonald will certainly add some strike threat. He scored 27 tries in as many games for Leigh last term to help them win promotion and then starred for the Kumuls before suffering that injury in the World Cup quarter-final against England.
Macdonald admitted: “We had a slow start last week and it was a big learning curve for us. It’s probably good that it happened early so we can really realise what we need to do. We’re all excited to play on Friday and make a statement after last week, especially in front of our own fans.”
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Nene Macdonald in 2021 World Cup action for Papua New Guinea against Wales at Doncaster (Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (Getty Images)And he is desperate to now make Leeds his home having played for six clubs in the last eight years. Macdonald, who also featured with Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans, North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks in the NRL, said: “Yeah, that’s probably the goal now: to join somewhere and stay there for however many years I can get. I’m here for the next two seasons but I want a good year so I can earn my right to extend.”
Hull edged their opener 30-28 against Castleford and Macdonald is likely to be in direct opposition against Liam Sutcliffe, the Grand Final-winning centre who left Leeds in the autumn. Ex-Rhinos hooker Brad Dwyer also makes his first return to Headingley.