The Richard Agar era at Leeds Rhinos drew to an end this year when he departed Headingley mid-season. Rohan Smith has now taken charge and overseen his first recruitment cycle, which has seen him make eight signings so far.
In total, 14 senior players arrived at Headingley during Agar's time in charge of the club, and while some of those have been huge successes, others are still yet to work out as intended. Here is every signing of the Agar era ranked, from those still with question marks to those which have undoubtedly been successful.
Blake Austin
It's fair to say the jury is still out on both of Leeds' starting half-backs for 2023. Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer didn't click at first individually or collectively, but improved markedly once Smith arrived. They now need to step up again next year to push the Rhinos on once again.
Aidan Sezer
While both Austin and Sezer have arrived with pressure given their reputation and previous form in Super League, there is perhaps a touch more on the shoulders of Sezer. He has certainly shown glimpses of his ability since joining from Huddersfield but given his salary and the fact he is wearing the number seven shirt, Leeds fans will be hoping for more from Sezer in 2023 after cruelly missing out on the Grand Final.
King Vuniyayawa
The forward always felt like a stop-gap signing at Headingley for 2021, and once it became clear he had interest from elsewhere in the shape of Salford Red Devils, he was never likely to be a long-term option for Leeds, with so many promising forwards. But Vuniyayawa did a solid enough job for the Rhinos in his solitary season at the club and had a decent campaign at the AJ Bell Stadium.
David Fusitu'a
Like so many of the Rhinos' signings for 2022, we are truly yet to see the best of Fusitu'a in a blue and amber shirt. That is through no fault of his own though, with injuries and concussion setbacks preventing him from having a proper run in the Leeds side this year.
James Bentley
Bentley's return to his hometown club was, of course, overshadowed by the red card he received on his competitive debut against Warrington Wolves. However, there is little doubting that Leeds have secured a player with a huge long-term future and the potential to become a cornerstone of their pack for years to come. After a tough start, he had a fine end to the campaign under Smith.
Corey Johnson
Very much a signing for the future, Leeds' decision to bring Johnson back to Headingley last year after he sought a desire to resume his professional career was a complete no-brainer. The hooker has spent time out on loan to learn his craft once again, and has had glimpses of the first team since re-signing. In the years to come, Johnson's signature will look like a very shrewd one, you suspect.
Bodene Thompson
Seen by many fans as a curious signing, the 33-year-old managed to hold down a place in the Leeds side on a fairly regular basis since initially joining on loan from Toronto Wolfpack. At a time when Leeds needed a boost in the pack, Thompson's experience certainly helped them no end. He has now departed for Bradford Bulls.
Luke Gale
Gale's return to his hometown club almost certainly didn't end the way he would have liked, after being stripped of the captaincy and securing a transfer to Hull FC. But during his two seasons at Leeds, Gale certainly left his mark - and the fact he kicked the winning point in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final is something Rhinos fans will never forget. He will play for Keighley Cougars next year.
Alex Mellor
The former Bradford junior is another of Agar's signings to now have left the club, having moved on to Castleford Tigers. He had a promising start to his Leeds career but never truly pushed on as many had hoped he would.
Zane Tetevano
The 30-year-old's start to life at Leeds was somewhat up and down, typified by the suspensions which blighted his early months in blue and amber. But since then, Tetevano has become one of the real leaders of the Rhinos' pack, and there is no doubting they are a weaker side when Tetevano is absent. Of all the signings in the Agar era, Tetevano's feels like one of the most important for both short and long-term success.
Robert Lui
Eyebrows were raised when Tui Lolohea and Lui swapped clubs just weeks into Agar's tenure. But one of his first swoops in the transfer market repeated enormous rewards, with Lui helping the club win the Challenge Cup and guiding them through some difficult, transitional times in 2019. Agar has repeatedly spoke of the importance of the Lui deal to help the club through some choppy waters, and he left a real mark on Headingley during his time at the club.
Matt Prior
Going into the 2020 season, Leeds were in real need of frontline leadership and experience to avoid a repeat of the struggles of 2019. Prior's signing certainly ticked those boxes and his impact at Headingley was almost immediate. He helped rejuvenate the Rhinos, playing a pivotal role in their Challenge Cup success and it was no surprise when, after being named captain midway through last year, Leeds extended his deal into 2022. However, his form dropped last season and he has now retired.
Kruise Leeming
High-profile signings in Super League do not always work out, but you suspected Kruise Leeming's switch to Leeds Rhinos would always pay off. The hooker has been one of the most consistent players for the Rhinos since joining the club and now captain of the club, it is clear Leeming will be a cornerstone of the side for years to come. Most sides in Super League would love a player of Leeming's calibre.
Rhyse Martin
Martin's arrival midway through 2019 was, looking back, crucial for Leeds' short-term fortunes. He had an instant impact, guiding them to safety in Super League and since then, he has continued his fine form both in general play and from the kicking tee. Still only 29, Martin could easily be a mainstay at the Rhinos for several more years yet and of all the signings in the Agar era, Martin's was perhaps the best of all.
