“Bonkers!” – Tony Smith slams the way the media make pre-season predictions

Last night Tony Smith’s Hull FC side defeated his nephew Rohan Smith’s Leeds Rhinos team meaning the Black and Whites start the season with two wins from two and Leeds, for the second season in a row, start with two loses.

The Rhinos are only saved from being bottom of the league by West Yorkshire rivals Wakefield Trinity after they were beaten 60-0 last night.

Though Leeds were much better last night than in the opening game, it doesn’t take much for fans to panic these days and this was put to Tony Smith who was asked whether he thinks Leeds will have a successful season.

His replied was passionate to say the least:

“Absolutely yeah, I think there will be a lot of teams doing well. We get one or two games into a season and we’re doom and gloom: it’s all over. It’s crazy, bonkers.

“That’s because we start the season and the week before we have a big focus on who is going to win the Grand Final? And who is going to get relegated?

“What? Good luck. It’s just bonkers, let’s look forward to a great season of exciting rugby league, watch all the twists and turns, it’s just crazy the way we focus.

“Until we change some of that all we’re going to get is ups and downs and calling people failures.

“It’s bonkers, there is some good match ups, some exciting games, there are some new starts and young players, new combinations.

“How you guys make bold predictions, keep making predictions all the way through and keep reminding people of what they were.

“You’re going to be way off, so many of you. Bet you will change them and sneak in some changes throughout the way.

“Ask us how we’re going to finish? I have no idea, somewhere between 1^st and 12^th. There you go.”

So, it seems Tony Smith isn’t exactly happy with the way the season is previewed.

This came after he joked that he can’t analyse the game as quick as journalists can saying: “I can’t analyse a game in 80 minutes. I’m not as quick as you lot.”

A tongue in cheek comment from one of the best talkers in rugby league.