Rohan Smith talks through the first changes he made as Leeds Rhinos boss

When Rohan Smith arrived at Headingley, no one believed that a few months later he would be leading the Rhinos out at Old Trafford in a Grand Final.

They were second bottom in April with one win facing a real relegation battle especially when they welcomed bottom club Toulouse to Headingley in a basement battle which could have left the Rhinos bottom of the league.

The Rhinos always had a good squad this season but something just wasn’t right but Smith has made the necessary amendments to turn Leeds into a real force in the second half of the season.

Leeds have just lost five games under Smith and have won 10 of the last 11 games beating every team in the league except for St Helens since he arrived.

But what was the first thing Smith changed when trying to develop a winning culture at Headingley.

“There was a couple things on day one,” Smith said, “We talked about being calm and not riding the highs and lows too much and dealing with what needs to be done right now.

“The way I coach attack and defence is very team orientated it’s not as rigid and structured as some maybe.

“I think teamwork on the field leads to teamwork off the field and connection because the thing they want to be most connected with is the sport itself.

“Not everyone in every club is going to be best mates, it’s not necessary to have a good team to all be best mates but to have that mutual appreciation and respect to play our way can build friendships off the field.”

What Smith has done has certainly worked and remarkably his side is now just 80 minutes away from being crowned Champions but to be the Champions they’ll have to beat the Champions St Helens this evening.