There are plenty of issues waiting in Rohan Smith's in-tray when he arrives in England in the next week to take up the challenge of guiding Leeds Rhinos away from relegation danger in Super League. Some of those challenges are short-term, like finding the results that will ensure the Rhinos are out of trouble at the foot of the table as soon as possible.
But others are with a view to the future. Leeds and Smith have made no secret of this appointment being a long-term one and as such, recruitment and retention for next season will be particularly important in shaping Smith's vision. That includes deciding whether or not the sizeable chunk of Rhinos players out of contract at the end of this season will be offered new deals.
Here, Rugby League Live explores the biggest dilemmas facing Smith and Leeds in that regard, and which players will be keen to impress the new coach.
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Blake Austin
It is safe to say it has not been the most successful start to life in a Leeds Rhinos shirt for Blake Austin. The former Warrington half-back is yet to truly spark up any sort of form, either alongside Aidan Sezer or individually during a difficult start to life at Headingley.
With Austin only signing a one-year contract with Leeds, the 31-year-old's future is already under the spotlight beyond this season. With Smith a big advocate on promoting and developing young talent, the speed of Jack Sinfield's adjustment to life in the Rhinos' first-team could play a major role in determining Austin's future, with Sezer under contract for 2023.
However, he still has plenty of time to impress the new coach and show that if he wants to remain at Leeds, he has the ability to command a place in their long-term future.
Alex Mellor
Of all the players Smith is inheriting at Leeds, there will be few he knows and understands quite like Alex Mellor. Smith worked with Mellor when he emerged as a promising junior player at Bradford Bulls, handing the forward a prominent role during his one season in charge, the ill-fated 2016 season which proved to be the Bulls' last before liquidation.
Mellor joined Huddersfield in the wake of Bradford's demise before Leeds landed what was believed to be the signature of one of the British game's most promising talents. While Mellor has been a regular fixture in the Leeds side since joining, there is an opinion that he hasn't quite fulfilled that potential yet.
Still only 27, there is plenty of time for Mellor to kick on and take his game to the next level - and of all the players out of contract, it may well be Mellor who is most excited about the opportunity to impress a coach he knows very well. It could be the thing that takes his game to the next level as he seeks a longer term stay at Headingley beyond this year.
Brad Dwyer
There is no doubting the influence Brad Dwyer has had on Leeds since his arrival at the club but the culmination of his current contract comes at a fascinating time for both player and club.
Dwyer still undoubtedly has plenty of miles in the tank and has plenty to offer a Super League club. There will almost certainly be interest from other top-flight teams if Leeds decide not to offer him a new deal.
But with the Rhinos re-signing Corey Johnson last summer - another player whose deal is up at the end of the season - and Kruise Leeming going nowhere, Leeds may have a difficult decision to make. Does Smith offer Dwyer another contract, potentially blocking the development of Johnson, or do they allow the young hooker to take the role of understudy to Leeming from the interchange bench?
Rhyse Martin
The prolonged uncertainty over Rhyse Martin's future this season was one of the big recruitment stories at Headingley going into the final stages of 2022.
Eventually, Martin committed to a new one-year deal to remain at Leeds this year, but that means that there is new doubt and intrigue over his long-term future just a few months later. Smith will almost certainly be a big fan of Martin, who is a real asset to Leeds in so many ways, not least his razor sharp goal-kicking from the tee.
There are a glut of young players ready to break through at Headingley, but Martin is still not 30 until next year and has plenty to offer Smith as he shapes his vision for Leeds in the years ahead. Just like last year, Martin's signature will be one Leeds fans crave yet again this time around.
