Hall will be 37 by the time he pulls on a Rhinos jersey next season, seven years after his previous appearance for the club. Despite his status as the fifth-highest try scorer in Leeds’ history, eyebrows were raised when Hall was signed for the final year of his playing career. However, Smith insisted the current Hull KR winger is being brought back because of what he can offer on and off the field. “We’ve been looking for experienced players to complement the youth that are coming through,”...
A run of four successive home defeats has left Rhinos out of the Betfred Challenge Cup and eighth in Betfred Super League with almost a third of the regular season completed. There were boos from the stands after last Friday’s 30-24 defeat to Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley and some fans have called for a change of coach. But speaking ahead of Sunday’s game at second-bottom Hull FC, Smith, who took charge two years ago and masterminded a turnaround which led Rhinos to the 2022 Grand Final,...
Before that, negativity surrounding the team may not have accurately reflected what has happened this year, but a horrible defeat - during which Rhinos twice squandered a 12-point lead in spectacular fashion - has heaped pressure on coach Rohan Smith. Since then, Rhinos have announced Leeds legend Ryan Hall will be back at the club next year for one final playing season, at the age of 37. Here’s five talking points. In it for the long Hall Commenting on Ryan Hall’s impending return, Smith said...
Rhinos remain eighth in Betfred Super League, but are just two points behind the teams from third to sixth place. The result ended a two-match losing run, but while Smith insisted his side “ got what we needed” some fans were less than impressed. There were chants of “get out of our club” aimed at the coach following the final hooter, but asked in his post-match press conference about the fans’ reaction, Smith opted to focus on the number of Leeds followers who made the trip. Smith said:...
Smith guided Rhinos to the 2022 Betfred Super League Grand Final just four months after taking charge, but Leeds failed to qualify last season’s play-offs and the coach has been under increasing pressure from the terraces this season. There were chants of “get out of our club” at the end of last Sunday’s game at Hull FC - despite Rhinos’ 18-12 win - and Smith was questioned about that at his weekly preview press conference today (Tuesday). Asked if he was confident of getting the fans back...
Rhinos’ biggest win of the season was a boost after four successive home losses and a disappointing performance in their victory at Hull FC five days earlier. It was achieved despite Riley Lumb and Brodie Croft picking up injuries which reduced Rhinos to 15 available players for the final 50 minutes on Friday night and Smith reflected: “It has been a tough two years. “I arrived here two years ago to the day and there hasn’t been a day or a week when people don’t think you should win. Getting...
Lumb’s first senior performance was the highlight of today’s 18-12 win at Hull FC which got Rhinos back on track in Betfred Super League following successive defeats. The 19-year-old scored a spectacular touchdown to open Rhinos ‘ account and added a scrambled second just before the break. He was drafted into the side after playing on dual-registration for Halifax Panthers in the Betfred Championship seven days earlier, which was his debut as a professional player. Smith was “really proud” of...
Rhinos, who beat Wigan Warriors 21-8 in last year’s final at Salford Stadium, will need to top their group at Warrington’s Victoria Park on Sunday, May 4, to qualify automatically for finals day. That will be held on Saturday, July 27, at a venue yet to be decided. Next month’s festival includes all eight Betfred Women’s Super League sides, plus teams from the regional Championships, with the four group winners and two best runners-up going through. Midlands Women’s Championship sides Telford...
Aaron Moore will be in charge of a Rhinos game for the fourth time this season when they play host to London Broncos on Friday. Liam Rush is his video assistant. Chris Kendall has also been in the middle for four Rhinos games in 2024, Jack Smith has done two and Rush one. Other appointments for Betfred Super League round 10 are: Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons - Jack Smith (video James Vella); Huddersfield Giants v Salford Red Devils - Tom Grant (video Chris Kendall); Warrington Wolves v Hull...
The game completes Betfred Super League round nine and, like all other top-flight fixtures, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Because it is not one of Sky’s two main matches, live coverage will also be available on the competition’s streaming service SuperLeague+. Here’s where and when to watch all the latest Super League action. Thursday, April 25: St Helens v Huddersfield Giants, Sky Sports Action (from 7.30pm, 8pm kick-off). Friday, April 26: Castleford Tigers v London Broncos, Sky Sports...
The two-time Grand Final winner, who played for Leeds from 2005-2008, left Hull at the end of last season after spells as a player, football manager, reserve team boss and assistant-coach. He had been working for charity Rugby League Cares and has rejoined the performance staff in an unspecified role on a three-year contract. The 42-year-old said: “The last six months has allowed me to have some time away from the game and now I come back with a completely fresh mind. My time working with Rugby...
Rhinos have an opportunity to pick up a first home win in five attempts when they face Betfred Super League’s bottom club London Broncos on Friday. Here’s five talking points. Let’s not have a witch hunt It was hard to tell who had won at the end of last Sunday’s game, with Hull players being cheered from the field by their fans while a section of Leeds’ support called for coach Rohan Smith to be sacked. Fans have a right to voice their opinion, but it should be about what’s best for the club....