Ian Blease explains why Rhyse Martin is leaving Leeds Rhinos – and club’s recruitment strategy

Leeds Rhinos are still very much in the race to reach the Super League play-offs.

Rohan Smith was relieved of his head coach duties earlier this year when the side looked like they had little chance of reaching the top six, but since Brad Arthur has joined, there has seemed to be somewhat of an improvement.

Without their high number of errors, there are lots of good bits of rugby played by this Rhinos side, and with three games to go of the regular season, they could yet make it.

However, if they don’t reach that milestone, focus will then be on to preparations for 2025.

Sporting director Ian Blease has spoken to the 5 Live Rugby League Podcast, and has provided some insight into how the club may be thinking in terms of recruitment plans.

However, there can’t be too much change, as many players are already tied down to longer-term contracts.

On this, he said: “It was something that I was aware of coming into the role. There have a been a significant amount of contracts completed, probably around 95%.”

Ian Blease explains why Rhyse Martin is leaving Leeds Rhinos – and club’s recruitment strategy

They will be going into 2025 without the man that scored all of their points – up to Brodie Croft’s drop-goal – in a narrow win over London Broncos.

Blease said: “Rhyse Martin going to Hull KR, I tried to convince Rhyse to stay.

“We tried our very best to give him what he wanted but we just couldn’t get there in terms of the salary cap.”

It also seems that there may not be too many changes, reading between the lines of what he says, but there is opportunity for the club to come up with some decent recruitment.

He continued: “I think Brad can get more out of the team and squad that we’ve already got. He’s got pre-season to do that.

“In terms of recruitment, we’ve probably got a bit of space that has been created by Rhyse not coming on board with us for next year.

“We’re working on that now, and if we can just do a bit of wheeling and dealing, we might come up with something – or two – that we can take into next year along with Brad.

“With the team we’ve got, we’re not far off. With a bit more coaching in the pre-season, I think we can do more with what we’ve got.”

He may be trying to ready fans for another season with much the same squad, but we’ll have to wait and see.