Chev Walker gives honest thoughts on Leeds Rhinos’ appointment of Rohan Smith

With Rohan Smith now confirmed as Leeds Rhinos head coach for the next three-and-a-half years, there has been a mixed reception.

Smith joins the Rhinos from reigning Queensland Cup Champions Norths Devils having worked with a host of NRL clubs throughout his coaching career. Rohan is the son of former Hull and Bradford coach Brian Smith and the nephew of former Leeds Head Coach Tony Smith.

Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington commented, “We are extremely pleased to have secured one of the most exciting young coaches in the game at present. Rohan Smith is highly regarded both here in England and Australia and is someone who is passionate about coaching and most importantly for us, excited about developing our players and a winning culture and environment.

“I would like to thank Norths Devils and Brisbane Broncos in allowing us to speak to Rohan about our vacancy.  I know both clubs rate Rohan extremely highly, not just because of his coaching philosophies, but how he has transferred that into a winning team at the Devils. At the outset I stated this was one of the most important appointments in our club’s history. I would like to thank all our supporters and partners for their patience during this period but it was vital that we spoke to all interested parties both here in England and overseas. Through that process, Rohan Smith was an outstanding candidate for the role and I am personally delighted to have agreed the deal to bring him to Headingley.

“Interestingly, Rohan is three years older than his uncle Tony when he became Head Coach of the Rhinos back in 2003 and I see many parallels in both their early coaching careers to this point. Rohan has vast experience having been part of various coaching teams over the last twenty years, working with people some of the biggest names in modern NRL coaching.

“We had two over riding criteria when selecting our new Head Coach. The first was that they must have had experience and success as a Head Coach and secondly have experience of working at the highest level in Super League or the NRL and Rohan fits the bill on both those fronts.”

And, for former Leeds Rhinos star Chev Walker, the appointment is a great one. He tweeted: “Incredible man and quality coach I know culture gets thrown around without any real meaning or understanding but I played for Tony he was a game changer. I coached for Rohan and both equally inspiring and demanding. Get behind this man he won’t fail you!”

Incredible man and quality coach I know culture gets thrown around without any real meaning or understanding but I played for Tony he was a game changer. I coached for Rohan and both equally inspiring and demanding. Get behind this man he won’t fail you! https://t.co/K8tJiYuPSO

— chev walker (@chevwalker) April 20, 2022