Everything Rohan Smith said after Leeds vs St Helens

Last night saw an all-time classic at Headingley. Lewis Dodd’s drop-goal in the second period of golden point was enough to secure the win for Paul Wellens men.

Here’s everything Rohan Smith said to the media following his sides defeat

Rowan, that was some game, just some of your emotions after that one.

“Proud, is that an emotion? Disappointed for the boys not to get the two points or one, but probably most of all proud that you get to be involved in that kind of event. We’ve been involved in some memorable games, back into last year and even this year. Both the games against St. Helens this year have been very high level, I think setting the bar for performance in this competition. I’m privileged to be part of it. I think both teams can go home feeling like they’ve done good for the sport. We’re certainly disappointed we didn’t take an opportunity or two but couldn’t be prouder of the way they stuck together and the players just kept finding it. They just kept finding it. Good plays, good defence. And yeah, it’s one of those, it’s bittersweet. I think you can’t feel like a loser going home playing like that but it’s it’s heart-breaking for the players particularly to knock home with the two points as well.”

I imagine they’re all gutted in that changing room. Are those almost the hardest ones to lose? You know given that you’re up against it with the injuries and the red card and the way the game sort of ebbed and flowed and to lose it in that fashion.

“Asking a coach if it’s hard losing, you know, every game is brutal to lose. Yeah, you can look at things different ways and, you know, try and reframe the situation. St. Helens are playing against a team that’s lost three players in the first, whatever that was, 20, 30 minutes. You know, I’m not sure what the penalty count was the set restarts disappeared again, you know All of that stuff that was going against or hard to to turn against. Yeah, we certainly could have. A lot of other teams would have been in a worse position than that And to go down at the back end of golden point, you know I couldn’t be prouder of the way that they applied themselves and you know, it’s spoke to them Before the game is going to take a lot to get a result tonight. I’m disappointed for the two points, that’s what we’ve come for, but I’m proud of the way we played.”

That character they showed, it’s not the first time we’ve seen it this season, you cast your mind back to Wigan a couple of weeks ago. How much of an asset is that to have a group that are that committed and have that sort of character in games like that?

“Yeah, I just said to the players then that they’ve shown each other what they’re capable of doing when the back’s against the wall. Our opportunity is to find that level of intent and effort and energy and togetherness every week as close to that as we can get every week. If we do that, we’ll be in a good position.”

Just on the injuries, those three, what can you tell us on those?

“I haven’t asked on all three of them. They’re clearly not good news. They’ll all be significant injuries. But nobody’s come near me and I haven’t asked. When players get replaced in the manner that they did, you know they’re not returning for the game. They’ll get reviewed and scanned and whatnot over the weekend and we’ll find out the outcomes of those but you know let’s not take away from the blokes that were out there and did what they did you know on both teams. St Helens, they’re an unbelievable team, experienced, they had to earn every bit they got tonight.”

Just on that, how does that change tactically when, particularly when you’re starting halves, do you play simpler or do you just ask Richie Myler or Corey Johnson to do those same sorts of plays?

“Because we’d lost so many and the interchange was rotation, any sort of sense of plan was out the window. We had people playing everywhere at various times. Perhaps could have shuffled somebody different onto the right edge to deal with a bit of that kick return stuff. We lost our shape on our kick return a little bit, but our kick chase, the effort was there. But the tactics at times, I think, for both teams weren’t really present other than the have a dig and keep turning up, was it was a lot in the back end of the game.”

James McDonnell red card

“Haven’t watched it. I’ve turned away or which focusing on the next thing after the error and then I think one of the St Helens players was probably given a bit of, you know, they came in and there was a bit of banter going on amongst a few of them during the game and you know whatever happened on the back of the banter I’m not quite sure. But obviously the video ref had a chance to review it so you know you’d hope that he got it right.”

What did you make of the two tries you had this allowed?

“Yeah, I think the Sam Walters one probably looks like there’s a bit of grass between the ball and the line, but if it goes up try, I don’t think there’s enough probably to overturn it. But I felt like that decision was right, and I’m pretty sure Passi touched the ball when Justin juggled it so I think both those big moments without having looked at it over and over appear to have been correctly dealt with.”

Taking the draw

“After the 80, with that performance and effort I wouldn’t have been unhappy that’s for sure. To take a point would have been satisfying and and possibly deserved. We were looking through it from a different different lenses depending on which side of the fence you’re on I’m not sure who the best team was tonight I think there’s too much going on to actually have an accurate assessment of that. You guys will all say St. Helens were the better with a better team and the scoreboard says so.”

What did you make of Sam Walters?

“He had some huge moments, he had some big opportunities on some big plays, he made some plays, missed a couple but he played with good intent and energy and we asked a lot more of him than he’s been asked of in other games and he had to spend some time on that right edge as well. He’s had a red hot crack tonight and had an impact on the game.”

Going into the season that changed the rules to give you an 18th man if there’s three concussion substitutions, do you feel like that rule should be expanded for situations like tonight?

“No, those injuries were attrition based. If they were foul play, I’m not quite sure why. We tend to follow the NRL two or three years later, I’m not sure. I’m all for not doing the same as the NRL. But if it’s foul play and someone gets injured, you should be able to use the 18th man. But for injuries, that’s just the attrition of the game. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t. We want attrition in our game, so I want the game to be Sped up a bit. We don’t want stoppages And if people get injured that makes it harder for a team will as long as it’s not foul play, I would encourage the use of 18th man to be brought in on foul play.”

 

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