Leeds’ Grand Final disappointment could yet lead to an even better 2023

On Saturday evening Leeds Rhinos lost in the Super League Grand Final, however, they did a tremendous job to get there in the first place.

The result should not dishearten any Rhinos supporters as their team looks to be in fantastic shape to go that one step further in 2023.

When Rohan Smith took charge of the Rhinos back in April, he inherited a side sat second bottom of the table, low on confidence and in terrible form. The job he did as coach in 2022 was nothing short of miraculous.

After the game Smith told Prost International:

“We gave a lot of effort tonight, and I’m proud of the journey we have had.

“The way the players and staff have pulled together, we have done a lot of good things and won a lot of games through the effort, connection and trust of everyone at the club.

“The fans were phenomenal, I still get goosebumps thinking about it, and I have to thank them for their support to the players tonight and this season.”

Smith was unable to complete the dream in the Grand Final, but the fact they got there in the first place shows just how good the turnaround was. In 2023 Smith will have a full Winter of pre-season, putting the World Cup aside, to work with his squad and make the additions that he feels he needs.

Taking over a side in the middle of the season you are very limited with what you can do. Smith came in with his own fresh ideas and brought the group together, playing the rugby he had panned out in his head, that turned out to be more than enough.

He was proud of what he had done so far but knows more than anyone that more is to come in 2023:

“There’s so much to do coming in in May, you can do bits and pieces and try and get a shift in performance, but we’re going to get a pre-season that gives us a chance to get a bit more of a different identity and expand on what we have been doing in the last few months.”

Leeds were undoubtably second best to the best team in the league on Saturday. They held strong in defence as much as they could but were lacklustre going forwards. If Smith, his staff and his players can work on getting things right over the winter period, then anyone who followed them closely this year, or watched the final, will know they have a great chance in next year’s competition.

Smith said:

“I’ll be reflecting on how I went about the week, the decisions and the process I took over the next month or so, but this year’s performances won’t count next year, it’s a totally clean slate.”

He then added:

“We will never have a journey the same as that one bringing about change and getting to know everyone whilst still learning. Every season brings a new one.

“Every individual will be doing the same reflection, having their say on what to improve on for next year.”

Smith was announced as the new head coach on the 21^st April, since that date Leeds have won 15 games and lost six. They ended the 2022 campaign with 11 wins and three losses, the best form in the league. It is also worth noting that their great form came without many of their key players at different times who all should be fit and firing for the start of 2023.

Everything is currently pointing towards the Rhinos having a successful 2023 under Smith, who ended the conference by adding:

“If we want to taste success, then we have got to be prepared to risk big to win big.”

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