Former Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith might have only been out of a job for just over a month but the Australian insists that he is “eager to get into the next thing” and that could well be at Huddersfield Giants.
The Giants are without a head coach currently after they parted ways with Ian Watson after just one win in eight Super League games, a slide that they stopped on Friday night when they beat Salford Red Devils under interim coach Luke Robinson.
Appearing as a guest on BBC West Yorkshire Sport’s coverage of Sunday afternoon’s Rugby League including Castleford Tigers hosting Catalans and Batley’s home clash against Dewsbury, Rohan Smith was asked about the vacant Huddersfield job and whether it would be one that interested him.
During his time as Leeds Rhinos coach, Smith had mixed success against the Giants but his best win as head coach at Headingley also came against them with a 54-0 hammering at home in Round 16 of the 2023 season. The nine-try display showcased what got fans so excited about the playstyle of Rohan Smith, plenty of pace, ambition and fearlessness.
Unfortunately, that free-flowing playstyle cost the Rhinos at times this season leading to both the club and Smith parting ways in June, but a month on he appears ready for a return with the Australian describing the Huddersfield job as a “project”.
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Could Rohan Smith be hired as next Huddersfield Giants coach?
Credit: Imago Images
As it stands with two much-improved performances under Luke Robinson, it’s likely that he is the favourite in the clubhouse in terms of the next head coach at the John Smiths Stadium but the Giants won’t be short on options with Rohan Smith expressing a clear interest in returning to coaching, albeit playing the cards close to his chest about the Giants’ job.
Asked about the vacant role, Rohan Smith explained on BBC Radio West Yorkshire: “I’m not really sure. I don’t know what their path or their goals or their aim is as a club. I’m not privy to any of that.”
He was quick to note the positives that the role holds, adding: “I’ve always thought of that club as one with real potential. Its location is a big one, I think. It’s closer in proximity to Manchester but also to the other Yorkshire clubs and a lot of English people don’t want to move home, so it’s kind of accessible to a lot of people in the rugby league fraternity and family.
“It looks like, from the outside, it looks like a club that needs to develop a lot of young players to come through their path and really focus on that area. It’s probably a project, a real project, I think, for whoever gets it.”
Smith also paid his dues to current interim Luke Robinson who has certainly helped restore pride in the shirt, however, the ex-Leeds coach signed off with a ‘Come and get me’-style plea to any clubs in both Super League and the NRL as he outlined his desire for a new job.
“If Robbo (Luke Robinson) ends up getting that opportunity, well he’s done a great apprenticeship at that club and served them really well but I’m not too sure what they’re looking for.
“But I’m eager to get into the next thing and I know I can build a club from the bottom up and develop young players to fulfil a Super League or an NRL roster.”
