“We feel…” – Rohan Smith speaks out on Leeds Rhinos star’s “harsh” ban

Leeds Rhinos have confirmed that they will be appealing the ban of Sam Lisone after his yellow card against Hull KR.

The Rhinos have lost both of Sam Lisone and James Donaldson to bans after the defeat to Hull KR both for head contact.

Speaking on the Lisone ban, Smith said on BBC Radio Leeds: “We have decided to contest the Sam Lisone tackle. We feel it’s a bit on the harsher end of the grading scale for a tackle that was deemed low force.

“We felt that both those situations were where Grade D was on the harsher end but we understand where the game is going and the importance of not making contact with the head.”

He said that it is “too early in the piece” to have his say on the ban for Donaldson with limited examples of similar tackles.

Smith also said that he was behind the new rules saying “the game is as safe as it has ever been.”

Leeds Rhinos face prop problem

This came as Smith addressed the struggles in Leeds’ pack as the new season puts pressure on their pack with a number of injuries arising:

“We have those two out and Mikolaj Oledzki still out. Tom Holroyd will be back in the picture. James McDonnell is another forward who is back in the mix.

“That is sort of fortunate timing. We would love and prefer everyone available to make a selection head ache but it is kind of good timing because they’re coming in fresh, they’ve done lots of good work training and they are eager to get back into it.”

On Oledzki, he was asked if there was a clearer prognosis on the prop: “No, it’s one of those. It’s not as clean cut as many other injuries are. It is sort of a week to week proposition. He is possible for this week but probably more possible than probable.

“He could progress significantly in a few days or he could take a bit more time or even more time than that. It could be Round Three, Four or Five. We’re not sure.”

He confirmed that fullback Lachie Miller has a chance of featuring on Saturday after missing last week’s game against Hull KR.