Leeds Rhinos Squad Departures Assessed: Leeds 2026

Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos face a major squad turnaround following their 14-12 Betfred Super League semi-final defeat by Warrington Wolves.
• The departing group includes half a dozen players who featured in that semi-final fixture and five who held a top-17 squad number.
• Harry Newman, a product of the Rhinos academy and a seven-time England international, is departing for the Perth Bears.
• Australian stand-off Brodie Croft, who scored 28 tries in 28 appearances this year and earned a Betfred Super League Dream Team selection, has signed for Warrington Wolves.
• Prop Mikolaj Oledzki, the club’s first Polish-born player and a back-to-back player of the year in 2021 and 2022, is also moving to the Perth Bears.
• Second-rower James McDonnell, a two-time consecutive Super League Dream Team member, leaves after four campaigns.
• Loose-forward Cameron Smith, the 2023 player of the year, joins Wakefield Trinity on a four-year contract.
• Jeremiah Mata’utia departs after making two substitute appearances following his pre-season arrival from the North Queensland Cowboys.
• Outside-back Ned McCormack is moving to Wakefield Trinity after switching codes from rugby union three years ago.
• Decisions remain pending regarding veteran winger Ryan Hall and prop Matt Lodge.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) September 29, 2026 -Following a heartbreaking 14-12 defeat to Warrington Wolves in the Betfred Super League semi-final, Headingley is facing a profound squad overhaul. With a significant portion of core players heading for new pastures, the club enters an offseason defined by transition, renewal, and hard choices.

What Led to This Massive Squad Turnaround at Leeds Rhinos?

The immediate aftermath of a narrow postseason exit often triggers reflection, but the scale of departures at Leeds is substantial. The club has confirmed that a large cohort of players will leave, encompassing half a dozen individuals who featured in the recent semi-final clash at Warrington and five who maintained a top-17 squad designation.

This list of exits carries immense weight, featuring two selections in the latest Betfred Super League Dream Team and multiple former club player of the year award winners. While veterans like Ryan Hall weigh their futures and Matt Lodge’s short-term deal concludes, the focus centers squarely on the established stars and emerging talents moving on.

Where Are Harry Newman and Brodie Croft Heading?

Among the most discussed departures are centre Harry Newman and Australian stand-off Brodie Croft. Harry Newman, who came through the Rhinos academy to make his debut as a 17-year-old in 2017, is bound for the Perth Bears. Despite enduring long-term injury setbacks—including a broken leg that kept him out of the 2020 Wembley appearance—Newman accumulated seven England caps during his tenure at Headingley.

Meanwhile, Brodie Croft departs as one of the competition’s most potent attacking threats. Brought in as a high-profile signing from the Salford Red Devils ahead of the 2024 campaign, Croft delivered memorable moments, most notably scoring two tries against the Leigh Leopards in the first home fixture following Rob Burrow’s passing.

He recorded his finest campaign this year, touching down 28 times in 28 appearances and earning a deserved spot in the Betfred Super League Dream Team before securing a move to the Warrington Wolves.

How Will Leeds Replace Mikolaj Oledzki and James McDonnell?

The forward pack is also absorbing heavy losses with the exits of Mikolaj Oledzki and James McDonnell. Mikolaj Oledzki, the club’s first Polish-born player, debuted as a teenager in 2017 and would have qualified for a testimonial next term before his transfer to the Perth Bears.

An academy product, Oledzki lifted the Challenge Cup six years ago, represented England on six occasions, and claimed the Leeds player of the year accolade in both 2021 and 2022—placing him alongside Iestyn Harris, Jamie Peacock, and Jake Connor as the only players in the Super League era to secure the award in consecutive seasons.

Joining him in the departure lounge is Wigan-born second-rower James McDonnell. Recruited ahead of the 2023 season after playing on loan in the Championship for Leigh, McDonnell quickly established himself far beyond initial expectations as a mere squad utility.

Except when sidelined by injury, he remained an indispensable part of the 17-man rotation across four campaigns, capping his time with a second successive selection in the Super League Dream Team.

What is the Next Chapter for Cameron Smith, Jeremiah Mata’utia, and Ned McCormack?

The departures extend further into the squad depth and leadership group. Loose-forward Cameron Smith, another product of the Rhinos youth system who debuted in 2016 and claimed the player of the year honor in 2023, is set to join Wakefield Trinity on a four-year contract. Despite losing the captaincy and the number 13 jersey ahead of his testimonial season, Smith adapted effectively to a substitute role and produced some of his finest rugby.

Joining Smith at Wakefield Trinity is outside-back Ned McCormack. Having made the switch from rugby union three years ago, McCormack battled a 14-month layoff due to a hamstring injury before delivering an outstanding performance in his late call-up for the semi-final against Warrington, which included a vital contribution to the club’s second try.

Completing the list of confirmed exits is prop Jeremiah Mata’utia. The New Zealand-born forward arrived from the North Queensland Cowboys during pre-season but managed only two substitute appearances for Leeds, alongside a brief loan spell with Hull FC.

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Background of the Particular Development

The current squad overhaul at Headingley reflects a cyclical reality in professional rugby league where clubs must balance generational talent retention with salary cap management, international recruitment markets, and rebuilding phases.

Over recent seasons, Leeds Rhinos have worked diligently to integrate academy graduates like Harry Newman, Mikolaj Oledzki, and Cameron Smith into senior leadership roles while supplementing them with elite additions such as Brodie Croft and James McDonnell.

However, competitive pressures, lucrative offers from expanding ventures like the Perth Bears, and strategic roster reshaping by the coaching staff have culminated in this significant transition window.

The departure of multiple Dream Team members and club legends highlights both the high caliber of talent Leeds has cultivated and the immense challenge facing the recruitment department to fill those vacancies ahead of the new campaign.

Prediction on How This Development Can Affect the Fans and the Club

The departure of so many foundational players, fan favourites, and elite performers will undoubtedly create an emotional void among the Headingley faithful, who have watched talents like Newman, Oledzki, and Smith grow from academy prospects into international and award-winning senior figures. In the short term, supporters may experience anxiety regarding how the team will replace the sheer volume of tries contributed by Brodie Croft and the defensive resilience anchored by James McDonnell and Mikolaj Oledzki.

From a broader perspective, this mass exodus forces a transitional rebuilding period for the Rhinos. While it introduces short-term uncertainty, it also clears substantial salary cap space and opens the door for a new generation of youth talent and targeted signings to step into leadership roles.

How quickly the incoming squad gels under the coaching staff will determine whether Leeds can bounce back immediately from their semi-final heartbreak and transform this transitional phase into a fresh era of competitive success.