Leeds Rhinos and Rohan Smith are off the mark. A 24-6 victory over Wakefield Trinity has got the new era up and running and with it, there were plenty of positives to go with it. Here are five key talking points.
Notable improvement
After a pretty dull and damp squib of a start against Salford Red Devils, it was important that the Rhinos displayed progress was being made after a full fortnight under new management. They delivered. This was a much better performance, one in which they were threatening with the ball for large periods and in different ways. Their energy was good, there was more cohesion and less panic.
Granted, their defence was never really tested given Wakefield were incapable of keeping hold of the ball for any prolonged period of time and while that made it easier for them to be impactful in defence, their intent was still clear to see. It was by no means perfect but it was never going to be. That said, it was much, much better than five days previous, and that's a good sign.
Read more : Highlights as Leeds Rhinos ease away from relegation battle with heavy win over Wakefield Trinity
Simple but effective
What was evident from very early on was the directness that the Rhinos implemented. For large parts, they played basic, low-risk rugby. But because they did it so well and at such a quick pace, it delivered great reward. They started sets well, won the ruck and played high tempo off the back of it. As such, they marched upfield despite playing one out rugby for extended periods in the set.
That's not to say they didn't throw the ball around. They broke down the edges on several occasions, but it was off the back of the platform being set and then picking their moments well.
Again, it wasn't perfect, at times slightly slicker execution would have resulted in more points. But from a side who entered the game as the lowest-scoring in the competition, it was a massive plus to see them create opportunities and hurt their opponents.
Fusitu'a thrills
It's no secret that the Rhinos' off-season recruitment hasn't yet truly worked out as hoped.
David Fusitu'a has spent more time on the treatment table than he has on the pitch, which has become a growing concern given his injury record before arriving at the club.
However, after a knee clear-out, he has now got through two games unscathed and put in undoubtedly his best performance in a Leeds shirt here.
His carries at the start of sets were imperative for the Rhinos as he punched through the defence and got quick play the balls. When Fusitu'a carried the ball, Wakefield were unable to slow the Rhinos down thereafter.
He finished his try off well too and what's clear from this performance is that the Rhinos have an asset on their hands if they can keep him on the field.
He wasn't the only one to impress. Blake Austin had his best game in a Leeds shirt and the same applies to James Bentley who, excusing a sin bin, was fantastic.
One on, one off
One observation that has been made throughout the season is that Leeds don't seem to click when the two hookers are on the field together. Kruise Leeming's stints in the halves have seen Brad Dwyer start but for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to work as hoped.
There are a number of potential reasons; Leeming simply isn't a natural halfback despite his undoubted qualities, both are natural runners which doesn't work with Leeds' system and the other players in the spine and various other reasons on top of that.
Here, Smith ensured the pair were kept apart and Leeds looked much better for it. Leeming had a great game, taking on plenty of the kicking duties, and Dwyer did what he does best and sparked Leeds up during his stint on the field.
It just looked, and felt, more natural.
Fullback considerations
Zak Hardaker was given the opportunity to play in his preferred position and didn't disappoint. Again, he didn't have much to do defensively, but he did what he needed to and in attack his yardage carries really helped set the tone.
It goes without saying that Hardaker and Richie Myler are different types of fullback. Myler has a knack for weaving into the line seamlessly and picking the right option with ball in hand, as well as strong support play. Hardaker, who last night will perhaps feel he could have put those outside him away, is as good as any defensively and is a much greater asset when carrying the ball than Myler is.
Ultimately Rohan Smith has two good options there that can suit different scenarios, and that's before Jack Walker re-enters the mix.
