A flurry of activity has already taken place in Super League's recruitment market ahead of 2023 but one club has been notably quiet. As announcements and rumours continue to emerge, Leeds Rhinos have notably been absent from all the speculation.
In fact, the only news coming out of Leeds relates to outgoings. Jack Broadbent and Alex Mellor are expected to join Castleford Tigers, Brad Dwyer is set to leave and Bodene Thompson has suggested his time at the club will come to an end once the season concludes.
But behind the scenes work is underway. Smith's mid-season arrival means they are naturally behind the eight-ball. But the club has started to extend deals of certain players and slowly, Smith's recruitment philosophy is becoming apparent. Here, we take a look at what recruitment may look like for Leeds Rhinos in 2023.
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Trimming the average age
Rugby League Live understands that Smith is keen on having a younger squad next year. As it stands, Leeds currently have nine players in their squad who or 30 or older. Expect that to change. The Rhinos' current focus is understood to be on younger players who Smith can work with.
The Australian has a good reputation for developing younger players and is known to enjoy improving players while under his watch. The reality is that, while everyone at Headingley wants the team's fortunes to change in the short-term, the project Smith has been tasked with overseeing is a long-term one and recruitment will be centred around delivering that.
As a result, don't be surprised to see the players coming in be less experienced than those coming out. Though Thompson is the only current player expected to leave in the 30 plus category that could well change and the players who do come in, it shouldn't be a surprise if they are younger than those they are replacing.
More outgoings than incomings
There could be a fair turnover of players once all changes have been made but it's likely that the squad will be a shade smaller than it is currently. There are two reasons for that. The first, simply, is that the Rhinos made an unanticipated mid-season signing in Zak Hardaker. If he does stay at the club, he will ultimately account for a 2023 signing.
The second is perhaps the most pressing and that is simply that the Rhinos don't have a heap of salary cap space at their disposal. The arrival of Hardaker has put them right up to the salary cap and while departures will free space, it will not enough for a mass overhaul. Expect to see the Rhinos remain somewhat low key and save themselves some space for mid-season recruitment next year.
This might not be well received by fans but is a harsh reality of salary cap sport and perhaps more to the point, the financial hangover of the pandemic. Fans discussing the recruitment plans of the club have mentioned the possibility of paying out players but this isn't a game of Football Manager or a case of fantasy booking. Paying out players is expensive and dead money and after the pandemic, the Rhinos don't have an unlimited sum of money to waste. They have to deal the hand they've been dealt, just like other clubs.
Rhyse Martin
After re-signing Jarrod O'Connor, Corey Johnson and Blake Austin in the past week, you'd have to suspect the retention of Rhyse Martin is the priority now. The back-rower has been one of Leeds' most consistent players this term and there is an appetite to keep him moving forward.
Martin has expressed his wish to stay so it does appear to be a formality from this stage. It does mean that Leeds will be restricted in their overseas recruitment next year, though. That moves us nicely on.
Overseas recruitment
The reality is that the Rhinos are going to be limited in what they can do when it comes to recruiting from the NRL. If Thompson does depart, which even at this stage remains a possibility, it will free up one quota spot, but the rest of Leeds' overseas contingent are under contract.
As a result, Leeds will have to use that spot wisely. What Smith has in mind is a mystery but it will be an opportunity he certainly won't want to waste.
