Rohan Smith is expecting an emotionally fraught affair when Leeds Rhinos host New Zealand at Headingley tomorrow night as Tom Briscoe captains the side. The beaten 2022 Super League Grand Finalists will bid farewell to several popular departing stars in Briscoe, Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Dwyer, Muizz Mustapha and Bodene Thompson.
Rhinos legend and 2015 treble winner Adam Cuthbertson is also coming back to make a guest appearance as the Rhinos look to give the Kiwis a run-out ahead of the World Cup. Long-serving Briscoe will captain Leeds and head coach Smith said: “We’ve spoken about the emotion of it this week and it’s an unusual situation that we’re in.
“It’s two weeks after we played in the Grand Final but we’ve also talked about how it’s been a good period of reflection of how the season has been and a chance to get together, which you wouldn’t normally get.
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"The other key thing is to say farewell to those players who have given great service to the club. Tom Briscoe will be captain for the day to honour and respect the service that he’s given to the club.”
Sutcliffe proved a key player during Leeds’ resurgence under Smith following the Australia’s arrival in May. He will join Hull FC along with Dwyer, Mustapha is heading for Castleford Tigers, Briscoe is expected to join newly-promoted Leigh Centurions while the destination Thompson is not yet known.
Smith added: “It’s a little hard for me to comment on the overall service that they have all given during the entirety of their time at the Rhinos. But from what I know and how the players are respected around the club with the fans, they’re a big part of Leeds and will continue to be.
“They will always hold a spot in the club and I can only really talk about the past four or five months since I’ve been here. They have made a great contribution on and off the field and were a big part of our journey towards the Grand Final.”
A star-studded New Zealand coached by former Wigan Warriors boss Michael Maguire will be a hugely prestigious occasion for the Rhinos, according to Smith. The 41-year-old is delighted to be involved in the final game of New Zealand legend Thomas Leuluai’s illustrious 20-year career.
Leuluai will bring down the curtain on a 20-year career as skipper of New Zealand when they face Leeds at Headingley. Leuluai, 37, announced his decision to retire at the end of 2022 and his former Wigan coach Maguire invited him to play his final game with them. He has been named as captain and scrum-half alongside Kieran Foran in a 19-man squad for the World Cup warm-up.
Smith said: “It’s a great opportunity for us all to be involved in and, with the hype and atmosphere surrounding the World Cup, to get that ball rolling and to compete against some of the greatest players of the modern era. I’m proud to be a part of it and Thomas Leuluai has a spot in my heart because I was at his first NRL game in 2003. He also played at London Broncos as I was starting off my coaching journey there as well, so I’m proud to be part of his last game as well.”
Smith says he is unsure which games he will attend during the World Cup but said he was currently pencilling his schedule.
“I’m looking forward to following it and catching up with a lot of friends from across the world,” said Smith. That’s the great thing about rugby league.”
Cam Smith will miss tomorrow’s game after having an elbow clear-out while back-rower Morgan Gannon is still recovering from concussion.
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