Even nine months into the job, boss Rohan Smith sometimes gets caught musing about the sheer “magnitude” of Leeds Rhinos.
But that only further excites the astute Aussie about what they can attain together when he bids to fully unlock untapped potential in 2023. He was one of last term’s big success stories having taken over in April and swiftly transformed the troubled Super League giants from relegation contenders to Grand Finalists. Little-known Smith, 41, had never been in charge of a top-flight side before, working for years as an assistant, but you’d never have guessed.
Although they fell short against four-peat champions St Helens at Old Trafford, Leeds’ vastly-improved displays have left fans hoping for bigger things again when the new campaign starts. It’s all been a far cry from his previous gig with Queensland Cup side Norths Devils but is being a head coach at elite level everything he hoped for?
