‘Nobody had heard of him’: Smith sparks Rhinos charge into Grand Final

Rohan Smith has taken Leeds Rhinos from second-bottom of Super League in April to Saturday’s Grand Final. Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA Images

Remember the North Devils’ run towards a first Queensland Cup since 1998 last year? No? That means you probably had no idea who Rohan Smith was when he was appointed head coach of Leeds Rhinos in April. Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

“Nobody had heard of him,” says the Leeds forward James Donaldson. “Nobody knew really who he was, other than his family history.”