Luke Gale critical of Leeds Rhinos and delighted for former coach Daryl Powell

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.”

Elsewhere, former Leeds Rhinos player Luke Gale was delighted for his former Castleford Tigers coach Daryl Powell.

He questioned whether it was a sign of things to come from the Wolves as he said Leeds looked “way off the pace.”

Gale said on Twitter: “Brilliant start for Daryl and the Warrington Wolves – a sign of things to come?

“Leeds Rhinos look way off the pace at the start of the season!”

Brilliant start for Daryll and the @WarringtonRLFC a sign of things to come? @leedsrhinos look way off the pace at the start of the season!

— Luke Gale (@snozzer_gale) February 16, 2023