Former Super League referee Richard Silverwood has made the brutal appeal to Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington to “please put him out of his misery” in regard to head coach Rohan Smith.
Smith’s Rhinos lost 40-10 to a St Helens side that has been criticised for it’s lack of attacking prowess but you wouldn’t have thought that as the Red Vee piled the points on with ease and Leeds last night.
It was a second-half onslaught that finished Leeds off with Rohan Smtih presumably quite happy with the first forty minutes as his side headed into the break only 12-6 down after conceding a 39th-minute try to Moses Mbye.
However, a fast start came for Paul Wellens’ side in the second forty and the points quickly racked up leaving a large faction of the travelling support chanting ‘We want Rohan out’ once again, the demand having been made several times so far this season.
It’s now been echoed by ex-Super League official Richard Silverwood who has pleaded with Gary Hetherington to get rid of Rohan Smith, whilst Smith himself has also responded post-match.
“Don’t see any progress” – Is it time for Smith to go?
Credit: Imago Images
Silverwood’s posts on social media ranged from analysis to demands and then back to analysis, a rollercoaster of emotions that Leeds Rhinos fans will be familiar with.
After the early second-half onslaught by St Helens put the game to bed, Silverwood first claimed that Leeds needed to be pushing for a coach of a similar pedigree to newly-appointed Hull FC man John Cartwright, the first of his posts referencing the concept of ‘Rohan out’, a common theme on social media.
Silverwood took to social media to state: “4 mistakes, 4 tries Saints. Just poor. Just don’t see any progress under Rohan Smith. I have no doubt John Cartwright will be a success. A high-quality coach. That’s the calibre Leeds should be bringing in rather than a glorified S&C coach.”
In the immediate post-match, that changed to a demand: “Gary, please put him out of his misery. Leeds are a fantastic club with great fans. They deserve better. The squad looks deflated and devoid of ideas.”
Before eventually, more analysis: “I know it’s easy to target Rohan but how many players have improved under him? How many gone backwards? His so called good mate Nene jumped ship. Leeming fall out. Just too many factors you can’t ignore. Feels like a Ten Hag moment. He simply can’t continue coaching a great club.”
I know it’s easy to target Rohan but how many players have improved under him? How many gone backwards? His so called good mate Nene jumped ship. Leeming fall out. Just too many factors you can’t ignore. Feels like a Ten Hag moment. He simply can’t continue coaching a great club
— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) May 24, 2024
So, is Silverwood right? Is Rohan Smith coaching a club that is ‘too big’ for him and is it really time for a change?
How do you solve a problem like Rohan Smith?
Credit: Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos can play some of the best rugby league in Super League but as has been suggested by Jon Wilkin, the team are simply under the cosh too much to do so.
When that system of soaking up pressure goes wrong and the dam bursts, you get scorelines like last night where a team will put a huge score on Rohan Smith and his men. The same should have happened in Perpignan a fortnight ago but for the fact that Catalans Dragons were awful too.
On the topic of Leeds Rhinos being a club that is ‘too great’ for Rohan Smith, that’s simply not true. Leeds Rhinos weren’t always the powerhouse side that the ‘Golden Generation’ shaped everyone to believe so. Teams have ebbs and flows through history, no one side is entitled to be at the pinnacle of a sport, particularly not when a salary cap exists for that reason.
Moreover, far less astute coaches have held the role of head coach at Headingley than Rohan Smith, but that doesn’t mean that time hasn’t run its course. The problem Leeds Rhinos have would be what is the next step if you do sack Rohan Smith? After all, the club are just two points outside the playoffs and have fixtures against Castleford, Hull FC and London in their next four games.
Headingley will be a a very interesting place next Saturday if Castleford manage to land the victory over Leeds Rhinos but until then Rohan Smith appears safe.
