Leeds Rhinos are set to take part in their second pre-season game of the season when they travel to Leigh this weekend and head coach Rohan Smith is optimistic about the matchup.
Rhinos lost in the traditional Boxing Day clash with Wakefield Trinity after Smith named a very experimental side, however heading into their game tomorrow with a far stronger squad the Australian is optimistic.
The presumed starting spine of Myler, Austin, Sezer and Leeming is set to feature on Saturday at the Leigh Sports Village and Smith has stated he has a clear idea of what pre-season will ultimately look like.
“I’ve got a map of who is going to play where to get a suitable amount of time and in what certain positions and combinations, but there’s a lot of moving parts and things can change from week to week,” Smith told the Rhinos’ Youtube channel.
“We’ve got a plan about who plays where in the next couple of weeks so we have as many players possible fit and match-conditioned for round one, and in some cases we’re giving some young players exposure as they won’t play early in the season but it could help in their path as the season goes and also as a reward for the pre-season hard work.”
In the coming weeks Leeds will play Leigh, Bradford Bulls and then Hull KR before their season opener against Warrington Wolves on February 16th.
Having the full pre-season under his control is something huge for Smith that he didn’t have last year, when he had to come and salvage a poor start under former boss Richard Agar.
Under Smith though Leeds became one of the forces of the division and were unbeaten at home with the Australian in the dugout.
That kind of form is something they’ll hope to carry into 2023, starting with securing the Bev Risman Trophy against the Leopards.
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