“Absolutely gutless” – enraged Leeds Rhinos fans react to Hull FC defeat

Leeds Rhinos suffered one of their worst-ever Super League defeats as they succumbed to an 18-10 defeat against Hull FC. FC had lost 11 consecutive games before Leeds visited the MKM Stadium, however, the Rhinos produced a dire performance in defeat to allow Simon Grix to register his first victory as interim coach.

The defeat serves to fuel the fire of speculation around Leeds coach, Rohan Smith’s future with the club. New Sporting Director, Ian Blease, formally joins the club on Monday morning and suddenly finds a huge issue in his in-tray to deal with.

Needless to say, the defeat has been met with righteous anger from Leeds fans on social media. Sections of the crowd were already in open dissent prior to the game, with the Leeds side producing a string of lacklustre performances in a season which goes from bad to worse.

Below, we round up how Leeds fans have reacted on social media.

Fans brand Leeds Rhinos a “laughing stock”

Leeds fans were quick to voice their displeasure in the aftermath of the defeat. They were also quick to call for Smith’s head in the wake of the defeat, with one fan stating: “GET RID OF SMITH, WE ARE A LAUGHING STOCK!”

GET RID OF SMITH. WE ARE A LAUGHING STOCK!

— James (@JAM35_W) June 15, 2024

Another fan described the Leeds performance as gutless, stating that a team the size of Leeds should not be producing such bad performances.

Absolutely gutless yes gutless for a rugby team not often I say that but that was a gutless performance. Absolutely shocking do the decent thing for smith and all of us and the whole club get him sacked he’s nowhere near good enough. For ant super league club let alone a huge

— Kyle (@kyzatoonfan4) June 15, 2024

In the build up to the game, Smith had stated Leeds’ desire to put on a show to honour the memory of Rob Burrow. Fans were disappointed that they had failed to do so.

Today was a chance for them to play for Rob. They couldn’t even be arsed to do that. Shameful 😑

— Adam West (@mayorwest72) June 15, 2024

Some fans cut to straight the point, with one stating: “Embarassing, Rohan must go”

Embarrassing rohan must go

— David (@davidmcfc500) June 15, 2024

One fan believes the issue runs deeper than simply the head coach. They believe that Smith has lost authority over the dressing room and Blease has a big job on his hand to turn things around at Headingley.

Something is seriously wrong at the club. It might even be deeper than the coach. New guy will have to change everything or it is just a publicity stunt. Coach looks out of his depth or lost the authority over the players because they look terrible on the pitch

— Das (@dasridd) June 15, 2024

One fans put the blame firmly with the players, stating that they were not fit to wear the shirt.

Not fit to wear the shirt, leaderless on and off the pitch, everyone can see it and yet he’s still says we played well

— Chris (@chrislinfoot145) June 15, 2024

Finally, one fan described this as the worst Leeds team in the Super League era, describing the Leeds team as “Dross”.

Worse Leeds team in the Super League era. Dross

— Richard (@Rich57H) June 15, 2024

Rudderless Rhinos’ season could fall apart

Defeat leaves the Rhinos in no-mans’ land in the Super League table. Whilst the Rhinos remain 10 points clear of FC, and 12 points clear of London Broncos, realistically, the play-offs appear to be drifting away from a side whose only consistency has been their inconsistency.

Barring a win against the Catalans Dragons at Headingley, the Rhinos have lost every game they have played against the sides above them in the Super League table and look short of the confidence and ability to sustain a challenge for the play-off places.

The Rhinos’ pack lacks size and power and lost the forward battle to a more determined Hull pack today. With ball in hand, Leeds consistently threw possession away as they lacked structure in their attack.

Leeds welcome the Leigh Leopards to Headingley, before they play the London Broncos at home at the beginning July. Defeat in either of those games could be terminal for Smith, if he does survive this damaging defeat.