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 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:...
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...
Two of the panel are now calling for coach Rohan Smith to go, with another two feeling it could be curtains if Rhinos lose Sunday’s game at Hull FC and the other is undecided. All agree last weekend’s 30-24 loss to Huddersfield Giants was a self-inflicted disaster which should not have happened. Here’s their latest thoughts on Rhinos’ recent poor form. GAVIN MILLER A good team doesn’t lose that game on Friday night and I’m afraid to say Leeds are not a good team. Incidentally, neither are the...
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....
Outside-back Riley Lumb and second-row Ben Littlewood have been drafted into Rhinos’ initial squad for today’s (Sunday) visit to Hull FC and will make their debut if selected. The 21 also includes full-back Alfie Edgell, with two Betfred Super League appearances to his name and centre Ned McCormack who made his first team debut against Warrington Wolves earlier this month. A fifth 19-year-old in the squad is half-back Jack Sinfield. He is yet to appear this season, but has featured 11 times...
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,...
Rhinos today (Monday) confirmed Hall will rejoin them in 2025 on a one-season deal, seven years after he last played for the club where he scored 231 tries in 330 games from 2007-2018. Hall, who turns 37 in November, will combine playing duties next season with a role on Rhinos’ commercial staff, before hanging up his boots at the end of the campaign. Though Hall’s quality is undoubted – and he is still playing well for Hull KR this season, in the final months of his deal there – his age makes...
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...
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,”...
The visit of Betfred Super League’s bottom side is not one of Sky Sports’ main games so live coverage will be available on the competition’s own SuperLeague+ streaming service. It will also be on Sky Sports Mix, with a limited build-up from 7.55pm - five minutes before kick-off. Here’s where and when to watch all the latest Super League action. Thursday, May 2: Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons, Sky Sports Arena (from 7.30, 8pm kick-off). Friday, May 3: Leeds Rhinos v London Broncos, Sky Sports...
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...