Testimonial man Cameron Smith has “no doubt” Ash Handley is the right man to captain Leeds Rhinos this year.
Smith, who will return from long-term injury when Rhinos play host to Bradford Bulls in his testimonial game on Saturday, shared the role with Handley in 2025, but two serious injuries restricted him to only 12 first team appearances, eight of those as a substitute.
Handley was last month named by coach Brad Arthur as stand-alone captain for the new campaign – with Kallum Watkins second in command – and Smith also reverted to the number 17 jersey, having worn 13 for the previous three seasons.
Smith admitted that “wasn’t nice to hear”, but insisted it was the right call and pledged to give Handley his full support.
The loose-forward vowed: “I understand the reasoning. Ash is no doubt the man to take this club forward and he has got my full support, as well as Kal, but nothing changes for me.
“It wasn’t nice to hear at the start, but the reasoning behind it was I only featured rarely [last year].
“Nothing will ever change the way I am or the way I play. The same for the number. I enjoyed having the 13 jersey while it was mine, but Keenan [Palasia] has taken it on and I am just going to do my job I’ve been given and ultimately get back playing some consistent rugby.”
Cameron Smith on his Leeds Rhinos contract and competition
With Palasia and Watkins also in the mix, Rhinos have strong competition for the loose-forward role.
Smith said: “To be a champion team you need that competition in and around you. It has lit the fire a bit more in my stomach to get back to my best and make sure I am in the team every week.
“It is exciting, more than anything, to play with the calibre of people we’ve got in the middle of the field and also the younger lads who are pushing us older lads out of our spots.”
Smith is entering the final year of his contract, but stressed: “I’ve not given it any thought at the moment.
“Taking on a testimonial is a task in itself so I am just grateful to be back in the mix and I want to get playing and do my talking on the field.”
