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Matthew Shaw

Leeds Rhinos cause a stir as 'Guest player' named on team sheet for New Zealand clash

It is perhaps the most bizarre team sheet ever seen. On Saturday, Leeds Rhinos take on New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up match for the Kiwis at Headingley, but the Leeds team is quite bizarre.

It features several of the club's existing players, among them several stars, such as Brad Dwyer and Tom Briscoe, who will play their final games for the club. However, Rohan Smith's squad also includes players from the past, such as Adam Cuthbertson and Jimmy Keinhorst, as well as one from the future in new signing Luke Hooley.

It even includes players who have never played for the Rhinos before. Former New Zealand internationals Junior Sa'u and Elijah Taylor are also included in the line-up. However, it is the involvement of one unnamed player that is causing all the talk.

Read more: Leeds Rhinos v New Zealand live stream: How to watch Rugby League World Cup warm-up match

When the Rhinos named their amended squad for the match on Friday night, it featured a 'player' under the name of 'Guest Player'. The identity of that person remains a complete mystery, and everybody is trying to figure out who it could be. Leeds are remaining tight-lipped but it's fair to say it could be anyone.

Among the theories out there is that it could be another past player who is given one last hurrah. Alternatively, it could be the most unique new signing announcement in history. Could the mystery person by a new addition for 2023? Others have suggested it could be someone with a link to both New Zealand and Leeds Rhinos, such as the legendary Ali Lauiti'iti. It could be a great of the club's history, such as Danny McGuire. The reality is, nobody, for now, knows who it is.

To confuse matters even more, though Leeds' team sheet graphic on social media suggested it would only be one guest, the club's website posted an article of the team list, which states 'guest players', implying there will be more than one!

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