Adrian Morley has raised a glass to Leeds Rhinos’ renaissance under Rohan Smith – and admits he would love to see his old club reach the Super League Grand Final tonight.
The eight-time Super League champions travel to Challenge Cup holders Wigan Warriors for a play-off semi-final where victory would take them to Old Trafford against St Helens or Salford. The Rhinos have had a rollercoaster few seasons since their last Grand Final success in 2017 and even this year, head coach Richard Agar quit following a disastrous start to the campaign.
But Morley is delighted to see the club where he began his career back throwing punches again – and is hoping they can deliver a knockout blow to Wigan.
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“Leeds are one of the form teams in Super League and confidence is high – they look like they’re enjoying their rugby league,” the former Great Britain prop told Leeds Live. “That’s a really powerful asset when as players you’re all pulling in the right direction. To go to Catalans and win twice in recent weeks is no easy feat but I think they will go to Wigan as underdogs tonight.
“There is no pressure on Leeds so they can just go there and give it their all. As we know, the Rhinos are the pass masters at this time of year of scraping into the play-offs and actually going on to do something special. They’re the only team to have won the competition from fifth and it’s not unthinkable for this current Leeds team to repeat that feat. Wigan will be favourites, but I think they will be wary of the Rhinos due to the resurgence they have enjoyed under Rohan Smith. It’s going to be a great contest and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Morgan Gannon will miss out against Wigan with concussion but Leeds hope England prop Mikolaj Oledzki will be fit to play after he sustained a shoulder injury which forced him off against Catalans.
“Leeds need Mikolaj fit because he’s the cornerstone of their pack,” said Morley of the Rhinos’ only ever-present in 2022. For a young lad, he’s been absolutely fantastic and they could do with him playing on Friday. I’ve not seen him have a bad game this year.”
Regardless of whether the Rhinos prevail at the DW Stadium this evening, Morley is confident they are on an upward curve under Smith. The 45-year-old added: “Leeds have had a rebuilding phase over the last few years but they do look like they are going to be up there contending for titles again in the coming years. They have got a very young squad and Rohan seems a very useful coach, so it feels like the Rhinos are on their way back. That’s where we expect Leeds to be – challenging for the major honours – and it’s where they need to be. Rohan hails from the Smith dynasty, so it’s no surprise that he’s having success as a coach. You can see the fruits of his labour already.”
Noted for his awesome physical prowess and hard-hitting style, Salford-born Morley moved to Headingley in 1995, laying the platform for an outstanding career which saw him represent Great Britain and England with distinction. He made his debut for Leeds aged 17 and helped Graham Murray’s side to a Challenge Cup final win over London Broncos in 1999.
Morley won the NRL Grand Final in 2003 with Sydney Roosters and the Super League title decider two years later, for Bradford Bulls against Rhinos, before returning to England with Warrington. He helped the Wolves to three Challenge Cup final wins and finished his distinguished career at Salford in 2014 and 2015.
“I like to sell all my old teams do well and I’d certainly love to see Leeds and Salford get to Old Trafford,” said Morley. “Both clubs mean a lot to me but I think Wigan might just go all the way. They just go about their business and get the victories when it counts, so Wigan are probably the favourites at the moment. But this is rugby league and anything can happen.”
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