Leeds Rhinos reached the 2022 Grand Final after a sensational end to the season,.
They started poorly and were second bottom in April, but Rohan Smith’s revolution at the Rhinos took them all the way to the Grand Final.
That form had fans believing that they could kick on 2023 and be one of the best teams in the league again.
Phil Clarke at the end of 2022 tipped them for the top three in 2023 but they were stunned last night by Warrington Wolves as they were beaten 42-10 having trailed 30-0 at the break.
After the game many questions were raised at how this could happen.
Some of them came from former Super League official Richard Silverwood who stated that the Rhinos were “awful” as he suggested their squad was now weaker than it was in 2022 after the loss of Liam Sutcliffe, Zak Hardaker and Brad Dwyer.
He said: “I don’t see how the Leeds team will be better than last. Sutcliffe, Hardaker and Dwyer are key losses. Warrington look class. Great pack, nines playing off that and 2 great half backs. Stark contrast to Leeds. They are awful.”
Meanwhile, he also questioned Rohan Smith’s approach to pre-season and the loss of assistant coaches Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Sean Long:
“What the hell has Rohan Smith been doing with Leeds in the off season? Thought he was this super coach. Losing Jones-Buchannan and Long looks a big loss as well.”
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Ken Garrett
February 17, 2023 at 10:50 am
Thank goodness Silver wood never made a mistake when he was refereeing. Thank goodness he never had a crap game. He always hated Leeds, remember him handing the world club challenge to the Aussies at Roland Road one time. We are entitled to our opinions but he ought to keep his annoying flap shut. Unless of course he’s after carving a lucrative media career out for himself by being Mr controversial. Media celebrity? Hardly likely for somebody with a personality bypass. But why not, Phil Clarke managed it!!!