“A shocking miss” – Leeds Rhinos boss highlights key moment in defeat

A lot has been made about Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Rohan Smith’s complaints about the ruck speed against St Helens but the Leeds boss did also say that his side simply weren’t at their best as they were dumped out of the Challenge Cup.

So what was the reason behind Leeds’ defeat to St Helens? Well in the mind of Smith their defence let them down: “I thought we didn’t have enough intent with our defence early in the game and we were sort of on the back foot, but I thought system-wise we held together really well, didn’t allow many try scoring opportunities for the other team.

“At half time I thought obviously the scoreboard wasn’t a major concern at half time, it was more about improving some areas. Second half we had better intent. In the first 15-20 minutes I felt without probably knowing the exact timings.”

In terms of the tries they conceded, Smith felt that some were unlucky but one was “a shocking miss.”

He said: “I thought we carried the ball well and then carried, you know, generated some more opportunities on the edges on the back of that. And, you know, in the end, it’s a couple of deflections and a shocking miss on a barge that have cost us the game. So, you know, there’s plenty to take out of it as far as hanging in there and keeping connected. But I thought we were not where we needed to be clearly tonight.”

Smith says Leeds Rhinos overplayed

The Leeds Rhinos Head Coach would also say that his side overplayed especially late in the game.

“At the back end particularly, the way that we were playing for the first 20-25 minutes of the second half, that’s enough,” Smith said.

“When the scoreboard is gone you need to play your structure more than when it’s flowing. When the score is closer I think we’ll take some lessons out of that for sure.”

Asked about the try Leeds conceded on the stroke of halftime, Smith said: “Yeah, very disappointing but overall we have defended our trial well again today. Couple of deflections and that’s the score difference but the better team clearly won today where last week I wasn’t so sure.”