The performance and outcome in East Yorkshire descended to unprecedented levels in an otherwise poor campaign, and it further stoked concerns about Rohan Smith’s future as head coach. These are five points to discuss.
1: Not moving at all. The disaster at Hull occurred a year and four days following the most humiliating outcome in the history of the Rhinos in the Betfred Super League—a 24-14 defeat at the hands of 12-man Wakefield Trinity, who had lost their previous fifteen games in 2023. In actuality, rhinos haven’t improved consistently during the previous 12 months.
They can still defeat elite teams on occasion, but they are inconsistent from week to week or even throughout games, and they keep making the same mistakes that cost them dearly in the form of costly penalties given up, careless decisions, and needless errors.
The team that lost to Hull was undoubtedly better than the one at Wakefield and ought to be ranked higher than eighth. Regretfully, the group currently lacks the quality of its parts. People aren’t performing to the best of their abilities, and although individuals must accept personal accountability, the coach will ultimately end up carrying the bulk.
Rhinos lined up from one to seven in their full-strength back division against Hull. Numbers 8, 12, and 13 were also on the pitch at the beginning of the game, playing their specialised positions. The only two players absent were Andy Ackers and James Bentley, both of whom would have been more or less certain to start in the 17 if fit.
Leeds was outplayed and the eight-point margin was flattering, but there were no excuses. After halftime, Hull scored all of their points during a 10-minute stretch during which the Rhinos looked completely lost. The visitors did a really good job of defending aside from that, but they mishandled the ball.
This season, Rhinos have committed 160 mistakes in Super League play, 17 more than the second-most error-prone team, Catalans Dragons. They rarely apply consistent pressure close to the opposition’s line (excellent ball), play too much defence, and lack creativity when faced with an offensive opportunity.
They are far more capable than that. There are some great players on the team, and if a spot opens up, there are seasoned coaches that will look at the Rhinos’ roster and say, “I can do something with that.”
With a contract that expires at the end of the following season, Rohan Smith has the opportunity to keep his job, if no decision has been made. All he has to do is get his squad to play well and consistently win. Ian Blease, the new sporting director who began work yesterday (Monday), obviously has a huge decision to make because, regrettably, there has been no indication that this year would see that happen.
Although the previous board did not want a new coach, Blease now has hiring and firing authority and is free to adopt a different stance. Although it’s not a given that Paul Rowley, the coach of Blease’s last team, Salford Red Devils, will join Leeds as a result of his appointment, there are currently viable candidates.
The most obvious candidate is Brad Arthur, who was fired from the Parramatta Eels one month ago after more than ten years in control of the NRL team. Justin Holbrook and Jason Demetriou are also without a head coaching position at the moment. It’s known that he would be open to go to the Super League if the right opportunity presented itself. At last week’s game, the environment among Rhinos supporters turned very nasty. When Hull won, anti-Smith chants started, and it seems that this caused irate scenes as spectators quarrelled with one another. When the Rhinos take on the Leigh Centurions at AMT Headingley on Friday in a match honouring Rob Burrow’s life and rugby career, no one wants to witness a recurrence of it.
Sadly, it appears Smith has alienated his admirers to the point where, no matter what happens, he will never be able to bring them back. There’s a welfare component to all of this, but rugby is a results-driven business, and Smith is conscious of what might happen if things don’t get better. He must be going through a lot individually.
Smith is a kind man with a family who is trying his hardest, no matter how well his team performs. Although he expects to be criticised for his work as a coach, he doesn’t deserve the vitriol he has been receiving.
Blease’s problems now differ from those he encountered at Salford, where he was operating on a much smaller budget. He has a lot on his plate.The Red Devils have a reputation for fighting above their weight, and even with few resources, Blease has assembled consistently strong rugby teams that are entertaining to watch. When Blease was running the rugby programme at Salford, two of the previous five Man of Steel champions came to the school. He is well-versed in the sport, having served as a player, agent, and administrator. Although time will tell, he appears to be a great choice. If he is granted independence, there is a chance for improvement.
