Rohan Smith felt he had unfinished business in the UK - and Leeds’ surprise Super League Grand Final ride is just the beginning of him sorting it out.
Rhinos face champions St Helens in Saturday’s showpiece following a remarkable run. They were down in 11th spot at Easter but, after Aussie Smith arrived in May, turned things around to sneak into fifth. Leeds have then won on the road at Catalans and Wigan to reach Old Trafford and look a different side to the one that was on its knees just four months ago.
Many Rhinos fans were nonplussed by the little-known Smith’s appointment given he had never held a top-flight head coach’s role. But his impact has been huge in his second stab over here. Smith’s first gig in the UK was with Bradford in 2016 but he headed home the following year when the troubled Championship club entered liquidation.
