'Can't remember him being under 110kg': Sivo on track for Vegas

Fijian star Maika Sivo is hitting the scales at the lowest weight of his playing career as he pushes to play for Leeds in Vegas clash with Hull KR.

Sivo, who is yet to make his Super League debut for the Rhinos after rupturing his ACL in a pre-season match last January, is expected to be fit for the February 28 match at Allegiant Stadium.

And Leeds coach Brad Arthur, who has been coaching Sivo since the Fijian joined Parramatta in 2019, revealed he was lighter than at any time during his six seasons for the Eels.

With the Rhinos set to commence their 2026 Super League campaign against Leigh on February 13, Arthur said Sivo was aiming to get at least one match under his belt before the trip to Vegas. 

"We’ve waited this long for Maika, we’ve just got to make sure. He’s close - round one or round two. He’s going really well, actually,"Arthur said.

“Maika … currently he’s tipping the scales at 109kg which is great. I’ve coached him for a while now and I can’t remember the last time he was under 110kg."

Recalling Clint Gutherson suffering a similar injury at Parramatta, Arthur said: “He pushed himself to the extreme to come back early and he came back pretty early. Everyone’s a little bit different but it’s a tough injury to deal with".

However, as Sivo races the clock to be fit for Las Vegas, a 21-year-old Leeds team-mate has suffered the same season-ending injury that befell the Fijian giant this time last year.

Centre Max Simpson suffered a suspected ACL knee injury in the Rhinos’ 46-16 pre-season win over newly promoted Bradford in Cameron Smith’s testimonial match at Headingley on Saturday, ending the local boy’s dreams of playing at Allegiant Stadium on February 28.

When Sivo was ruled out for 2025 12 months ago, Simpson was preparing to play his first comp game for 26 months due to an ankle injury and then a ruptured ACL in his other knee which had wrecked his nascent career.

“Maika doesn’t talk a lot but hopefully he can give some encouraging words to Max," Arthur said.

“No-one likes injuries but it’s just that kid - he’s had a rough trot, hasn’t he.

“You could see when he came out there, he had some good strong carries. He can obviously play. He can’t be any more resilient than he probably is but hopefully this makes him nice and tough and he bites down on the bit … he’s got a career there.

“Hopefully he can stay strong and push through it and he’s only young.  Unfortunately, it’s part of the game, it’s part of sport.

“I hadn’t thought too far, who’s going to be on the plane (to Vegas), but he was pushing all the guys around him and they knew that.”

New Perth Bears signing James McDonnell was also among the casualties yesterday with a possible syndesmosis to an ankle, which can rule players out for between six and 12 weeks.

Cowboys recruit Jeremiah Matautia (knee) is also no certainty to be crossing the Atlantic, with Arthur hoping to see him and Sivo play in one of the first two Super League rounds, against Leigh and York.

"I feel sorry for Max in terms of … it’s not the injury today, it’s the series of injuries he’s had to deal with in his career. We’ve signed him for three years. We’re going to back him," Arthur continued.

“He’s actually holding it together pretty good. I thought I was going to be coming in to a bloke who was going to be embroiled in tears. Obviously when he gets home and it sets in it’s going to be disappointing for him.”

Arthur said players needed stitches after a physical training session in the lead-up to the match. Other injuries yesterday included winger Chris Hankinson (broken nose) and the scorer of the Rhinos first two tries, centre Ash Handley (groin).

Former Titan Keenan Palasia (knee) was missing but would be fit for round one, if not the Rhinos’ Challenge Cup tie the previous week.