Leeds Rhinos' Rohan Smith has his final words after being axed as head coach

Leeds Rhinos have parted company with head coach Rohan Smith after their dismal start to the season.

The club agreed by mutual consent and with immediate effect to relieve the Aussie of his duties amid growing discontent from disgruntled fans. There had been a vociferous backlash from supporters during Saturday’s woeful loss at Hull FC but, in truth, fans had turned on the ex-Bradford chief weeks ago. Smith steered Rhinos to the Super League Grand Final in his first year after joining in April 2022 but they haven’t kicked on since then despite spending big this year with the capture of ex-Man of Steel Brodie Croft and England hooker Andy Ackers.

Leeds, who missed out on the play-offs last season and are currently in seventh spot, host Leigh on Friday night when they will celebrate the life of the legendary Rob Burrow. Smith, who was under contract until the end of 2025, looked doomed once Rhinos appointed Salford Red Devils’ Ian Blease as a new sporting director last week. Smith said: “I had always stated that it was a long-term project to establish a team that will be able to have sustainable success, and I believe that we have assembled a roster that can continue to push for a 2024 play-off spot, the supporters can get behind the boys and give them their support.

“Friday will be a special night for the club and we wanted to remove the ongoing coaching speculation and distraction. Celebrating Rob’s life, the great work done by the club and Kev [Sinfield] for the MND community and playing well is the focus for Friday. I believe this team can still achieve great things and I am proud of the work that the coaching team have done to develop players, especially the next generations. Unfortunately, I will not be Head Coach to see this development continue but I look forward to watching the clubs future successes and wish everyone at the club all the best for the future.”

Salford boss Paul Rowley, ex-Parramatta coach Brad Arthur, former South Sydney chief Jason Demetriou and Brisbane assistant Lee Briers could all come into consideration as Blease begins searching for a replacement. After losing half of their 14 Super League games so far, Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “It is always disappointing to lose a Head Coach, especially someone like Rohan, who has done so much good work behind the scenes since his arrival two years ago. At that point we were sat near the foot of the table but he re-invigorated us to reach the Grand Final with an incredible run of form. However, it is fair to say the Rhinos results and performances this season have not met all our expectations to get us back to where we want to be.

“The Board has a long-term strategy for where we want the club to be in the future, which started with the appointment of Ian Blease as our first Sporting Director. Ian is now carefully considering our options moving forward before making his recommendations to the Board.

Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith has been axed

“On behalf of everyone at the Rhinos, I would like to thank Rohan for his dedication and hard work as Head Coach. It is rare to meet a coach who is so passionate about Rugby League, at all levels, as Rohan and personally, having brought Rohan and his young family over to England, it is sad that his time at the club has not brought the success I know he so much desired and we both believed possible at the outset.”

Blease added: “Whilst I have only arrived at the club recently, I have seen from my meetings with the rugby staff and players how well respected Rohan is. We must manage this change carefully so the players can focus fully on their performances, starting this Friday against Leigh.

“My review of our rugby operation is ongoing and, clearly, the scope of those recommendations will now need to widen with Rohan’s departure.

“That process starts now to appoint a new Head Coach who we believe will be talented and suitable to take the club into a new era. Assistant Coaches Chev Walker and Scott Grix will take the final training session of the week on Thursday and will be in charge on Friday night against Leigh. We then have no game next week for the International break so that will allow us to plan further into the future.”