Leeds Rhinos coach Rohan Smith spoke to Sky Sports after his side’s 22-12 defeat to Hull KR.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Leeds Rhinos boss was unsurprisingly asked about Sam Lisone’s yellow card which was arguably the moment the game got away from Leeds.
This, like the yellow card to James Donaldson, gave Hull KR a crucial period with a man advantage and an extra two points as the Robins went on to win 22-12.
When asked about the crucial yellow card for Sam Lisone, Smith seemed to think that there may have been some milking of penalties in the game and perhaps with these incidents: “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’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 young fullback after stepping up
Leeds Rhinos Head coach Rohan Smith during the Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos pre season friendly match at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, England on the 28 January 2024.
He was also quick to praise stand in fullback Alfie Edgell who filled in at the 11th hour for the ill Lachie Miller: “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 was excellent throughout the game only making one error and showed that he is capable of stepping up when the Rhinos need him this season already.
Leeds take on Catalans Dragons next week at Headingley in a crucial game to get back on track.
