Rohan Smith reveals Leeds Rhinos star could play in new position
September 23, 2022, Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom: Rohan Smith Head Coach of Leeds Rhinos walks off the field after the 25th Betfred Super League Grand Final match St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom, 23rd September 2022. Manchester United, ManU Kingdom - ZUMAn307 20220923_zsa_n307_064 Copyright: xJamesxHeaton/NewsxImagesx
Jarrod O’Connor played almost 80 minutes against Wakefield Trinity as hooker with Kruise Leeming out injured and speaking after the game Rohan Smith was full of praise for the young man who can also play 13:
“I can’t take a lot of credit for that kid. He is a tough competitor, does whatever he is asked to do, very early in the piece I suggested that it might be a decent career move to play dummyhalf given his size mostly people are looking for a big and skilful or a very skilled 13 and Jarrod has based his game off hard work and competing more so.
“So, he might be better off developing some dummyhalf skills and he just said yep what do I need to do and he got cracking on it straight away.
“The other boys love him, they love playing with him because he will do anything for the team. He will keep going until he gets subbed and then he will high five the bloke that comes on for him.
“He is a great teammate and a great kid.”
He also revealed O’Connor was close to playing the full 80 minutes but he was also keen in trying James Bentley in the role believing the former St Helens man, who has played nine in the past, is very versatile:
“That was kind off the plan particularly when Bentley went on earlier than expected with the reshuffle.
“I see James Bentley having real versatility value playing on the edge, in the middle, he was a hooker / 13 when I was coaching at Bradford so I thought it was a good opportunity to give him some pick ups from dummyhalf and see how it goes for later in the season.”