Leeds Rhinos boss explains defeat to Hull KR

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Rohan Smith has provided his assessment of his side’s 22-12 defeat to Hull KR.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Leeds Rhinos boss said: “Oh a great hard game I was really proud of the way we defended. Yeah we got beaten to some scraps and a ball that bounced off the post that we had pretty well covered.

“A last pass slap that was forward on a bit of good deep. Good hard game easily could have gone either way I’m really proud of our players.”

He was also asked about the crucial yellow card for Sam Lisone: “Yeah, it’s the way the game is now. If anyone feels contact there, they’re making it look worse than it is, I think, at the moment. But that’s, you know, it’s like football almost in some ways. It was a high tackle. We respect that it should have been a penalty, but I think with all the coaches that’s, you know, is that a yellow card?

“We’re talking about duty of care of players, and we’re actually asking 12 men to do the job of 13 now when it was, you know, that one I’m not sure.”

Leeds Rhinos boss praises backs

Smith did praise the try Ash Handley scored: “Yeah, well firstly on the Ash Handley try, the bravery of Brodie Croft to kick that ball. It’s not something he’s done before. He’s embraced the way we’re going about things.

They were waiting for it and knew it was coming and he still nailed it and then Ash Handley does what Ash Handley does.”

He was also quick to praise stand in fullback Alfie Edgell: “Alfie Edgell absolutely outstanding for a young man. Even yesterday we weren’t sure if he was going to be fit to play because he got a knock the day before. For a young man to do that in front of that crowd on this surface that was you know losing its way all the time, under pressure against a really hard-working, tough, physical, smart team. Yeah that’s the courage of the young man.”

He also gave an update on Mikolaj Oledzki: “It’s an interesting injury, I’m not a doctor so I won’t go there to try and elaborate on it, but it’s nothing serious but it’s an unusual situation. He’s a definite chance of playing next week but He’s a definite chance of playing next week but we’ll just wait and see.”