It wouldn't be Leeds Rhinos if they didn't do it tough. Defeat to Hull FC on Friday ensured that, not for the first time, the Rhinos were slow out of the traps.
Early-round victories aren't this club's forte. Since 2016, they have only won five out of sixteen matches in the opening two rounds of the season. So another slow start isn't a particular surprise.
There is enough evidence from previous seasons to demonstrate that it shouldn't be of particular concern. But it doesn't get away from the fact it is a frustrating bad trait several coaches have been unable to nip in the bud.
Read More: Everything Rohan Smith said on Leeds Rhinos' defeat to Hull FC from missed chances to injuries
This loss stings because it was avoidable. Avoidable in the sense that Leeds only have themselves to blame. In what was a frantic but low-quality game they gifted an erratic Hull FC side their opening and closing try and they were incapable of finishing gilt-edge chances.
There was no getting away from the fact that Warrington were good last week but you couldn't say the same about the Black and Whites. This was a contest between two teams who evidently have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks.
But the difference is that Tony Smith's side has two wins under their belt while Rohan's has two losses. One can fix up their problems with the comfort of points on the board while the other has the pressure of staying with the pack. It's far from irretrievable but it's far from ideal either.
There were some evident improvements from the week before. Leeds' physicality in the middle was much better. Barring a period in the first half that coincided with Chris Satae's introduction to the field, they were hitting and sticking to their opponents. With the ball, they generated a better tempo and made more metres in back play.
But some persisting problems were apparent while new ones emerged. Handling issues and incorrect play the balls were highlighted as a problem by Rohan Smith in the pre-season games and there are still too many.
David Fusitu'a dropped a high kick from which Hull opened the scoring and Nene Macdonald, impressive on debut, threw an ill-judged offload that presented the visitors the opportunity to score the winner. This is a team problem though, there were a number of similar errors throughout the game. Leeds were a clean and efficient team last season, they haven't been so far.
Defensively, their defence isn't as connected, to use a Rohan Smith buzzword, as it needs to be. Leeds' use of a sliding system means players have to hold their nerve on their own goal-line but that's just not quite happened so far.
Again, it was much better than the week before, but they didn't quite nail it on two occasions and FC posted points.
But arguably the bigger concern this week was attack which, in the first half particularly, appeared rudderless. The offensive performance was epitomised by a set in the first half where Leeds launched five power plays and no shape on Hull FC's goal-line and then turned the ball offer after throwing little at them.
At times, there does appear to be a disconnect between the hooker, Kruise Leeming, and the two halfbacks. Watch closely and there is evident frustration radiating from Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer when Leeming dashes out of dummy half off certain quick play the balls. The temptation is always there for a hooker to do that but ruck speed also means there will be more space on the edges too.
It's about decision making and Leeds made too many wrong decisions in those areas. That's not a direct criticism of Leeming, either. Without being on the field and hearing the communication, it's an issue that's impossible to dissect from the stands.
There's no reason to panic. Leeds were by no means great here yet had they been even slightly more fine-tuned, they would have won the game. The issue, though, is that they face world champions St Helens next week.
It's reasonable to suggest they could end up winless after three games. At some point, results pressure will kick in and that brings unwanted challenges all coaches want to avoid early in the campaign
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