Anyone who has watched Leeds Rhinos enough this year will be able to identify that a new way of playing is being implemented under Rohan Smith. During the Richard Agar era, Leeds topped the charts for passes, ball movement and touches made by outside backs. They were a team that looked to spread the ball wide wherever possible.
Things are quite drastically different under Smith. Leeds' first thought is to run through the middle rather than shift the ball out wide. In their last two games, Leeds have punched through the middle of their opponents more than they have opened them up on the flanks.
One of the realities of throwing the ball around is that things can go wrong. During Agar's two full seasons in charge, they made more attacking errors than any other side, averaging around 13.3 per game in Super League action.
Read more: Rohan Smith on Leeds Rhinos' new playing style, Morgan Gannon injury and Blake Austin's withdrawal
By comparison, Leeds have only made 18 errors in their last two games, a substantial drop. To put that into further context, Hull FC currently make the fewest errors per game in Super League this season at an average of 8.9 In effect, the Rhinos have gone from being one of the most error-prone teams to being as errorless as teams get in the last two games.
And yet, it hasn't stopped Leeds from playing attractive rugby. Before last night Leeds had scored the fewest points, the fewest tries and made the lowest number of clean breaks in the competition. Within 80 minutes they scored 40 points and eight tries, catapulting them to ninth in the first of those two categories.
As for clean breaks. Leeds had averaged 2.9 per game before Friday night. Against Warrington, they made nine. Castleford make more breaks than anyone in Super League but even they only average 5.4 per outing.
It wouldn't be doing justice to what Smith has implemented to call the gameplan basic, but it's certainly lower risk and at present, it's higher reward, too.
It's suiting the players who are in the system, too. How often this year has Kruise Leeming leapt out from dummy half only to leave the rest of his teammates behind as they set up a play The Rhinos captain has often gone it alone having spotted an opportunity but his unexpecting teammates haven't backed him up.
Leeming made an incredible 11 dummy runs last night and every time he had men on his shoulder ready to benefit. Cameron Smith scythed through a hole for the first try after pushing with Leeming following a scamper from the ruck. It's clear that Leeds are aiming to exploit teams with speed through the middle as their primary focus.
That, again, was evident in how they used their outside backs. How often last night did Leeds go wide and then go against the grain by sending their outside backs back through the middle? Too many to count. It's a simple tactic that gets the opponent's forwards moving across the pitch more than they want, thus fatiguing them. On a side note, it's scary to think how much damage Harry Newman is going to do when he gets back in the side.
For it to work, Leeds need their backs to carry well and that they did. David Fusitu'a and Rhyse Martin have delivered quick play the balls at the start of sets and from there, Leeds get on a roll that can't be stopped. The pace at which the Rhinos are travelling makes both Blake Austin and Zak Hardaker that much more dangerous with their running threat. The fullback made 191 metres last night.
It's not to say Leeds keep it central. They pick their moments to go wide and it seemed to catch Warrington out when they did. It helps keep defences honest. There has been no mention of the pack but they too play a sizeable role in looking to get Leeds on the front foot or delivering a solid final carry when they've been unable to make a break earlier in the set.
It would be amiss to not note that there is some mitigation. Leeds have been excellent in the last two games but they have done so against two of the three worst defensive sides in the competition. Next up they face Huddersfield Giants, who have a much better defensive record, and Super League's ultimate defensive machine, St Helens. It will be interesting to see how Leeds fare against better opposition.
The other side of the game hasn't been mentioned either. Leeds only conceded four points last night but it must be accepted that they came up against a Warrington side that stunk the place out with the ball.
Despite that, they wasted three golden chances in the game when it was easier to score than not. Two of those came before Fusitu'a got the opener. Had they taken those chances it could have been a different game. Defensively Leeds are still vulnerable and have work to do.
As for Smith, gave some insight into his methods. "Once you've got ruck speed and leave someone on the ground everyone will play somewhat similar, flat and fast. But on plays where the defensive line is set, they have freedom to choose, but it's not made up.
"I don't think too many guys actually like play what they see, they want structure to generate opportunity to generate decision making. Anyone who is at dummy half and taking the ball to the line, most coaches will tell you support play is important and we've practised that a lot. We did it really well against Wakefield as well.
"I'm so immersed in what we're doing that I'm not good at comparing what we did today to yesterday or last week, it's a constant evolution. I don't know if it's the main point but it's certainly a key point. If anything I'd say the key point is to be calm in a game that's otherwise chaotic."
