Rohan Smith confirms star signing was dropped as Jack Sinfield steps up

Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith has heaped praise on young half-back Jack Sinfield, following his Man of the Match display against London Broncos whilst confirming that signing Matt Frawley was dropped, not injured.

The academy graduate, and son of Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield, made his first Super League appearance of the season in the Rhinos’ 46-8 thumping of London Broncos. He impressed throughout the game and marked a fine display with a try too as Leeds ran out 46-8 victors.

Speaking to the media after the match, Smith was full of praise for the youngster: “I thought Sinny had a good solid game. He’s certainly grown as a young bloke. He got thrown in there in tough circumstances a couple of years ago; which was probably a little bit too early, but he’s grown and progressed a lot since then.”

He added: “He’s a terrific young bloke. He works hard, takes on criticism, works on his game, builds his game and is the ultimate squad player at this point. I’m really pleased with the way Jack went about it.

“It’s his first game in Super League this year, so it was a test of the lungs at various times, but he’s been playing really well in reserves and he’s grown as a young man.”

Sinfield had a lot of responsibility placed on his shoulders very early into the game. Brodie Croft picked up a groin injury in the first-half, and was subbed after 30 minutes through injury, making Jack Sinfield the only recognised half-back on the pitch for the Rhinos.

This would be a difficult challenge for any young player, however, he reacted well and steered Leeds around the park; which also earned plaudits from boss Smith.

“He stepped forward then when Brodie came off, did a bit more probably than he would have otherwise, which was a good experience for him.”

“It was a selection choice”-Rohan Smith on picking Jack Sinfield over Matt Frawley

Jack Sinfield has had to bide his time this season, with new NRL arrival Matt Frawley drafted into the starting half-back role alongside Brodie Croft.

Frawley has been under heavy pressure so far this campaign, and Smith said it was a “selection choice” to bring Sinfield in for the game last night.

“It was a selection choice this week. Sinny’s been working hard in the background and I thought it was a good time to get him in.”

He added: “Those conversations are always difficult, but as a coach you’ve got to do what you think is right for the group. Frawl’s handled it really well, I’ve got a lot of respect for Frawls and he’s got a big job to do for us this season. That was the choice we made tonight, but he handed himself like a real pro and got behind the other players.”

Frawley joined the Rhinos this off-season from NRL outfit Canberra Raiders, replacing fellow Australian Aidan Sezer in the famous number seven jersey. Since his arrival, he has made 10 appearances for the club, scoring one try.

Leeds Rhinos make it two on the spin with comfortable win over London Broncos: Full report

Leeds Rhinos ended a run of four straight home defeats with a comfortable 46-8 win over bottom side London Broncos

Tries from Brodie Croft, Ash Handley, James McDonnell, Luis Roberts, Mickael Goudemand, Jack Sinfield, Sam Lisone and Justin Sangare guided the Rhinos their first home victory since early March and eased some of the pressure on head coach Rohan Smith.

There was plenty of pressure on Leeds ahead of the game, but an early try from Brodie Croft settled some of the nerves. A cheeky show-and-go from the half-back created a gap in the London defence, and he darted through to score after just three minutes.

Leeds created plenty of chances after this, but it took a fantastic solo run from Lachie Miller to finally get them through the stubborn London defence. The fullback danced through four Broncos players to motor up and the pitch, and he unselfishly popped the ball to Ash Handley for the try.

Broncos nearly made Leeds pay for some sloppy play, but Jarrod O’Connor’s last ditch tackle stopped Ugo Tison burrowing over from short range on the last.

The visitors piled the pressure on from here, forcing two repeat sets; which ultimately led to Ethan Natoli going over. A sweeping move through their left edge got the ball in the back-rowers hands, and he made no mistake with the finish.

Leeds hit back quickly though, as James McDonnell pounced on Andy Ackers grubber kick to score their third of the half.

With the clock winding down, quick hands through Leeds’ right edge got the ball into Luis Roberts hands for an easy try.

The second-half began in similar fashion to the first, as Mickael Goudemand crossed for his first Leeds try. Another great break from Lachie Miller got the Rhinos behind the hapless Broncos defence, and he connected with the French international for the score.

Jack Sinfield was the next Rhino to add his name to the scoresheet, as he reaped the rewards of a stellar Andy Ackers snipe from dummy-half.

London weren’t going down without a fight though. A pinpoint cross-field kick from Oli Leyland was plucked out of the air by James Meadows, and he threw a clever offload to send Robbie Storey over in the corner-much to the delight of the travelling support.

Leeds cancelled his effort out instantly though, as Sam Lisone powered onto Cam Smith’s pass for their seventh of the evening. They nearly made it two back-to-back efforts minutes later, but Handley was dragged into touch as he looked for his second of the game.

Leeds pulled out all the party tricks out in the final 15 minutes. Goudemand nearly set up a try with a grubber kick, Justin Sangare was hot stepping his way around defenders, a nice change from his usual tactic of running through them, and Lisone started playing at half-back.

This fun, yet bizarre, approach eventually led to the Rhinos eight and final try of the match. Another clever snipe from Ackers broke through the Broncos defence, and he threw an offload to send Sangare in to blasts of La Marseillaise from the South Stand trumpet player.

London competed to the end though, to their credit, and could of had a third from another Leyland cross-field kick; however, it took a vicious bounce to deny Hakim Miloudi an easy try and Leeds held onto a comfortable win.