Kruise Leeming insists Leeds Rhinos can see “light at the end of the tunnel” but has warned things might get worse before they are finally on an upward curve. The 2022 campaign has been a traumatic time at Headingley with Richard Agar stepping down as head coach and club legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan placed in interim charge.
Rohan Smith recently took the reins and, while his first match in charge was a disappointing defeat at Salford Red Devils, the Rhinos beat fellow strugglers Wakefield Trinity comfortably last Friday. The 24-6 success over Willie Poching’s men marked a third straight home win for Leeds, but club captain Leeming believes it could take time to iron out their inconsistencies.
Leeming told Rugby League Live: “I don’t want to make excuses, but we’ve had three different coaches this season. We had just got to learn a system with Rich and then he left, then we got to learn another system under Jonesy and had started winning before Rohan came in.
“We’re now learning Rohan’s system and can see light at the end of the tunnel. We think we are building but we might have to get worse before we get better.
“I know fans don’t want to hear that, but to build the solid foundations for a good base, and know what Rohan wants from us, sometimes you have to break your game down and go a little bit backwards to see the fruits of your labour further down the line.
“We’re looking to scrape into that top six and then knows what could happen once we’re in there? Hopefully we’re flying by that point.”
Leeming said the Rhinos’ squad is fully behind the new chapter being patiently written by Smith at Headingley.
“I think he’s been great and the more time he gets with us – and the more hands-on he is – the better it will be for us as a team,” added the ex-Huddersfield Giants man. "It’s really hard in sport to be losing because it’s a results-based industry and we’re professionals who are here to do a job.
“Rohan is a really positive bloke and the best way to describe it is to say he’s got a really short memory. If you play well, it’s gone and we move onto the next week. If you play badly, we learn from it and move on quickly again.
“Every week is a different assignment and Rohan doesn’t like to dwell on the good or the bad – and I think that’s the best way to be in sport. You can’t fall in love with yourself if you have a good win and mope around if you play badly and lose. We’re really behind Rohan and backing what he’s doing.”
At the start of the season, Leeming was tipped to lead the Rhinos to a genuine title challenge. Their disastrous first half of the campaign left them looking anything but title aspirants but the hooker is hoping for a strong second half to the season – for the team and a on personal level.
On his own form, and in a World Cup year, the England hopeful said: “It’s really hard to reflect on my own form when I’m captain of a team that’s not been doing too well.
“I’ve been more focused on the team and getting the best out of them, but I’d say I’m playing at about a seven or right out of ten right now. I’m trying really hard and I think I’ve put myself in the shop window to play in the mid-season international. If I play in that then I will be in the shop window for the World Cup.”
Shaun Wane’s men face a Combined Nations All Stars side at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday, June 18.
Leeming added: “It would be a massive achievement for me to play in that game and be the starting nine. I’ve got to get over the likes of Paul McShane and Daryl Clark to make the team but that’s my aim and I’ve been pretty open about that.
“I’m 26 now and I need to be playing in these kinds of games. It’s my time and I’m determined to take any opportunities that come my way.”
