Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:30 pm  

Terl wrote:

Okay maybe Rohan Smith may turn out to be coach of the year, or at the very least better than we have in place at the moment.

But goodness Leeds Rhinos have fallen so far if this is the best that they can AFFORD

My only hope is that Tony Smith is on his way as DOR at the end of the season.

I’ve edited your post for accuracy

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:34 pm  

Not sure who fans were thinking we would get as we were never going to appoint an NRL head coach.

He has very good role models in his father and uncle and if he is anything like Tony then we will get to see some good attacking rugby which will be refreshing.

He has lots of experience as an assistant coach in the NRL, was well regarded by Bulls fans during his stint with them and has just won the Queensland Cup which is of far better standard than the championship.

I don't believe Holbrook or Woolf had any better CV's when they joined Saints and personally I don't think we were going to get anything much better.

I am ok with the appointment, albeit the proof will be in the performances.

Any coaching appointment will be a gamble. If we appointed a top line NRL coach, they could leave 8 weeks after joining us if an NRL head coach became available.

Give Rohan a chance and see how he goes.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:35 pm  

The QLD cup link is also interesting in that we have a lot of quota spots available next year and there’s a lot of QLD cup players and fringe nrl players that could step up to SL without the cost of a full blown nrl signing.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:39 pm  

Barrie’s Glass Eye wrote:

The QLD cup link is also interesting in that we have a lot of quota spots available next year and there’s a lot of QLD cup players and fringe nrl players that could step up to SL without the cost of a full blown nrl signing.

Yep, always looking for a bargain uncle Gary

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:43 pm  

I guess we'll see how he goes. If he's to do anything though he must have the freedom to recruit players and staff he wants. Not suggesting he could or should get rid of JJB or anyone else in the near term, but he absolutely must be given the power to appoint someone else if he wants them. Ditto players. If not we'll never get out of this mess.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:48 pm  

I'm pretty sure Rohan won coach of the year in the competition he was in last year. I'm really pleased he got the position and I am genuinely looking forward to seeing what he can do with this young Leeds squad - and this is from a Bulls fan!

When he was the coach at Bradford you could tell that the players were thriving - there was a buzz amongst the squad that wasn't there previously and hasn't been since.

I know some of you wanted a household name but surely you know by now that this doesn't always work out?

Have faith in GH and give Rohan a chance.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:49 pm  

I have some concern about his relationship with Chev Walker, they were together at Bradford and given Chev's twitter post he's clearly delighted. I hope that this isn't another old mates act.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:49 pm  

cheekydiddles wrote:

Yep, always looking for a bargain uncle Gary

Or we realistically look at the fact that SL can’t generally attract the standard of player it once did, while also looking at the quality that can still be found including Field and Mago who have been revelations at Wigan, and say having someone with contacts etc at that level can’t harm us. Especially when atm we seem to be being stung by more established or expensive signings.

Anyway, that’s very much a secondary job beyond keeping us up right now.

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:52 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

I have some concern about his relationship with Chev Walker, they were together at Bradford and given Chev's twitter post he's clearly delighted. I hope that this isn't another old mates act.

Was Chev still a player while Rohan was at Bradford or was he in the coaching team by then?

[Frosties.]

Re: 2022 | Rohan Smith - Head Coach : Wed Apr 20, 2022 1:52 pm  

batleyrhino wrote:

I have some concern about his relationship with Chev Walker, they were together at Bradford and given Chev's twitter post he's clearly delighted. I hope that this isn't another old mates act.

Richie Mathers and Chev Walker both called for the appointment when Agar resigned from the role