Rohan Smith’s future, Rhyse Martin contract and prop signing: Ian Blease faces whirlwind start at Leeds Rhinos

VaselineJune 17, 2024

0 4 minutes read

Rohan Smith’s future, Rhyse Martin contract and prop signing: Ian Blease faces whirlwind start at Leeds Rhinos

Ian Blease starts his job as sporting director of Leeds Rhinos today and his to-do list will be very long, the former Salford man has a whole host of issues to deal with, however, it seems there are three that must give them priority.

It’s never dull at Headingley, it would seem, with Leeds Rhinos one of those clubs that is constantly buzzing with something going on and Ian Blease will find that out today as he begins his new role. Much of that will include putting out fires as the club try to bounce back from their embarrassing defeat against Hull FC, while he will also begin a thorough review.

It’s something he told fans he would undertake when he spoke last week after his appointment was announced with the 59-year-old outlining what he would be doing in the first few days of his new job.

He explained: “I don’t officially start until next Monday, so I’ll take some time to strategize and think about what I want to do. Together with the guidance of Gary and the board, I will look at all things rugby operationally and with the Rhinos.”

Blease also sent a message to Leeds Rhinos fans when he called on them to support the team, something that didn’t happen with chants of “We want Rohan out” around MKM on Saturday as the club lost 18-10.

There remain three key things for Blease to do in this opening week at Leeds Rhinos, though, and we’ve broken down each below.

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What Ian Blease needs to do in his first week at Leeds Rhinos

Fire or reinstate Rohan Smith

Credit: Imago Images

The glaring problem at Leeds Rhinos is the disconnect between fans and manager, with Rohan Smith seemingly teetering on the brink after a run of poor results.

On more than one occasion this season, the final whistle has been met with a chorus of boos, while the “We want Rohan out” chant has almost become the club’s official anthem from a certain group of supporters. The problem is, though, that it’s an ever-growing group of supporters, and it may now be reaching a tipping point.

Blease needs to make a decision on Rohan Smith and the sooner the better. Back him publicly in the hope that he will silence any doubt and inject a sense of unity between the club and the fans, or end Smith’s tenure at Headingley.

If Blease chooses the latter option, then obviously his priority task becomes finding a suitable replacement, which will be easier said than done with very few coaches out of work. One who is would be Brad Arthur, who has expressed an interest in coaching in the Super League.

Leeds Rhinos are at a crossroads and it’s up to Ian Blease to decide which direction to take. The fact that Smith remains in a job at the moment would suggest it will last the week, but the international break could bring the perfect time for the club to make a change if they believe this is the direction they want to take.

Resolve Rhyse Martin’s contract situation

Leeds Rhinos' Rhyse MARtin runs with the ball against Castleford Tiegrs

Credit: Imago Images

Leeds Rhinos have a number of players out of contract at the end of the season, but the most notable of these is Rhyse Martin, the Papua New Guinean’s second among Super League’s most consistent performers.

He’s also the last homegrown signing to be made by the club, which is damning considering he was signed in 2019, and that’s one of the key reasons Blease was brought in – to provide better recruitment options.

For now, though, they need to look at retention and get Martin signed up for 2025 and possibly beyond with other Super League sides. Leigh Leopards and Warrington Wolves have been reported to be interested in the goal striker, so Blease and the Rhinos will have a battle on their hands.

It strengthens the Leeds Rhinos pack

Credit: Imago Images

Leeds Rhinos need a prop up front, cry out for size and strength in the pack. Jon Wilkin assessed the match against Hull FC and labeled the Leeds pack as soft, claiming he would be licking his lips to line up against them.

If someone as adept at studying the game as Wilkin is thinking surely opposition Super League coaches are too and for that reason, the Rhinos need some size and they need it sooner rather than later.

Pre-season signing Mickael Goudemand has not translated well enough and while striker Sam Lisone has been devastating for some spells, he is a luxury player. What Leeds need is grit and more bodies with a serious lack of workhorses in their forward pack, particularly in the props.

Only Mikolaj Oledzki went within 100 meters of those players in the Leeds Rhinos pack on Saturday, with Goudemand (43), Sangare (71), Holroyd (19) and Lisone (31) failing to make huge contributions to their combined 25 wickets .

Instead, top-tier props such as Tom Amone carried 16 times alone this weekend for a total of 114 yards, Herman Ese’ese 17 times for 139 and Luke Thompson 10 times for 121. They won’t find someone of that caliber mid-season, but he must be a priority for 2025, while a loan deal for a big prop must be considered.

*Stats sourced from Super League Match Centre*

VaselineJune 17, 2024

0 4 minutes read