What Leeds Rhinos need to do this week to save the club’s season

VaselineMay 25, 2024

0 3 minutes read

What Leeds Rhinos need to do this week to save the club’s season

Expectations were high at the start of the season for Leeds Rhinos as the club invested heavily in the transfer market. However, the wheels appear to be coming off the 2024 season after another heavy defeat against St Helens.

Andy Ackers and Brodie Croft have joined the club in a significant double transfer from Super League rivals Salford Red Devils. Paul Momirovski joined from the Sydney Roosters and Matt Frawley joined from the Canberra Raiders. However, despite this major investment, the Rhinos remain some distance behind the league’s best teams.

Last year’s heavy defeat against Saints seems to have tipped the scales in the Leeds crowd. Smith faced some unease during the club’s tumultuous win over Hull FC at the end of April, however, chants against the beleaguered head coach could be heard at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

With their season threatening to be derailed, here are some of the biggest issues the Rhinos have to deal with as they try to salvage pride from the wreckage.

Solve the Frawley question

Credit: Imago Images

Frawley returned to Super League to join the Rhinos after a previous spell in Yorkshire with Huddersfield. Frawley struggled to adapt to life at Huddersfield and left the club after just 12 months of a two-year deal. Rhinos fans were skeptical when the deal to sign Frawley was announced, however Smith insisted that Frawley has grown in his time back in the NRL and Leeds are signing a much improved player.

However, Frawley’s performances were inconsistent for Leeds and he received further criticism from fans, particularly after the Hull match. Frawley was dropped for that game and Jack Sinfield, the game-winner against the London Broncos, replaced him.

Frawley partnered Sinfield in the club’s 26-0 defeat of Catalans Dragons following an injury to Brodie Croft. He kept his place for the game against Saints, with Sinfield sent to Halifax on a dual registration.

Sinfield is very talented with the Leeds faithful and is a highly regarded young player. Smith must now decide whether he believes Frawley will ever show the organizational qualities he thought he would bring to the club. If not, Sinfield should be given an extended run in the side to prove himself at the top level.

Improve your attitude on the field

Credit: Imago Images

Following last night’s defeat, Leeds’ players were criticized for their lack of commitment to the cause. Harry Newman was singled out for criticism by Sky Sports pundits Jon Wilkin and Danika Priim for lying on the ground after Waqa Blake broke the line, instead of getting to his feet and trying to clear the winger.

According to Wilkin, Newman’s actions summed up the difference between the two sides. He said: “Harry Newman is making a mistake. It’s a defensive error. But watch him stay on the ground.

“Look, he’s still on the ground. Look again, he’s still on the ground,” Wilkin said, before continuing. “Harry Newman isn’t even in the game again. That’s really the difference between these two teams.”

If Leeds are to turn their season around, their attitude needs to improve immediately. Smith must find a way to match the intensity shown by teams like the Saints if he hopes to turn their season around.

Add power to the pack

Credit: Imago Images

The lack of punch in the forward pack has been a constant problem for Leeds this season. Sam Lisone provides strength from the bench, however Leeds’ pack is generally light compared to some of their Super League rivals.

Mikolaj Oledzki continues to be an excellent performer for the Rhinos. However, Tom Holroyd has struggled with injuries and Justin Sangare remains a work in progress, yet to prove he can consistently perform at the highest level. Mikael Goudemand joined from the Catalans in the off-season but is a more durable striker suited to playing big minutes rather than the cannon forward that the Rhinos need.

In 2015 the Rhinos went out and got Mitch Garbutt and he proved instrumental in supporting their treble winning team. Now the Rhinos should consider another mid-season signing to help carry the pitch and ease the pressure on their defence.

Address the future of Rohan Smith

Credit: Imago Images

There was open dissent among the Leeds traveling support as the Rhinos succumbed to a soft defeat. A vocal section of the Leeds support called for the Rhinos hierarchy to make a change. Smith faced questions about his future after the game but dismissed suggestions he was feeling the pressure.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington now has a decision to make. When Smith was appointed, Hetherington was clear in his assertion that the appointment was part of a long-term plan and that Smith would be given time to rebuild the team in his image. However, this is now Smith’s third season in charge and after a grand final in his first season, the performances appear to be heading in the wrong direction.

Hetherington must now decide whether he remains committed to his long-term plan and whether he believes Smith is capable of stopping the rot at Headingley. If the answer is no, then the best thing for all parties may be to make a change.

VaselineMay 25, 2024

0 3 minutes read

Solve the Frawley question

Improve your attitude on the field

Add power to the pack

Address the future of Rohan Smith

Vaseline

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