2022 Season Review: Leeds Rhinos

17 Dec 2022

It's not easy to quickly surmise Leeds Rhinos' 2022 Betfred Super League season without using the rollercoaster sporting metaphor.

It started with just one win in six, leading to coach Richard Agar, who had led them to Wembley glory in 2020, making the decision to stand down from his position in late March.

"I don't feel like I am having the impact I would hope to on the squad," Agar said at the time.

"They are working hard in training every day but unfortunately this has not materialised in to results and ultimately that responsibility rests with me."

Interim head coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan's first game in charge was a heavy home Challenge Cup defeat to Castleford Tigers, and after 10 matches in all competitions, the Rhinos had just one win and a draw, sparking talk of a relegation battle.

After a comprehensive search for Agar's replacement, the club appointed Rohan Smith, who had served a lengthy apprenticeship on both sides of the world.

The new boss ?

First day as @leedsrhinos head coach for Rohan Smith ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/ZWLcbtUmrF
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 3, 2022

"It was vital that we spoke to all interested parties both here in England and overseas," chief executive Gary Hetherington explained.

"Through that process, Rohan Smith was an outstanding candidate for the role and I am personally delighted to have agreed the deal to bring him to Headingley."

Smith didn't take charge straight away as he waited for visa clearance, but there was an immediate upturn in fortunes on the field.

The Rhinos won four of their next five matches to climb from 11th to eighth, and started to play with a freedom in attack that had been lacking from their early season performances.

That came together thrillingly in a 62-16 win at Hull FC, and though there was a stumble at bottom club Toulouse in mid-July - with the Rhinos joining almost everyone else in dealing with injury situations for much of the year - they then finished with a flourish.

Wigan were put to the sword 42-12 at home as part of a six-match winning run that pushed the Rhinos up to fifth.

HUGE first half from @leedsrhinos ?#SuperLeague #SLLeeWig pic.twitter.com/bnLpfs48qp
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 21, 2022

Defeat at Catalans in late August meant that their Play-Offs place went down to a final day shoot-out against local rivals Castleford, and an 80-minute return to the rollercoaster for the Rhinos faithful.

For over 70 minutes it looked like the fairground ride under Smith was coming to an end, with Leeds drawing a blank in an error-strewn game against a depleted but spirited Tigers side.

But in the closing stages they memorably found another high again, Rhyse Martin's penalty and Kruise Leeming's try drawing them level, before Aidan Sezer brought the house down by securing the crucial win as the clock ran down.

In many ways that game reflected the entire season - a frustrating start followed by an exhilarating high at the end.

It also showed the resilience that the Rhinos had recaptured under Smith during his time in charge.

"There was obviously a lot of character and spirit," he said after the game. "Both teams stuck at it and it was a good battle, a good contest and probably how every regular season should end."

ALL HAIL SEZER ?

The Australian half-back was the hero in the final round of the regular season ?

His late try securing a Play-Off spot in the winner-takes-all clash against the Tigers ? pic.twitter.com/INwPFmLnT4
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 21, 2022

That set up Play-Offs wins at Catalans and Wigan fuelled with resilience, and felt a world away from mid-April, when the Rhinos went into their home game with Toulouse just one point above the French club at the foot of the table.

The Grand Final proved one step too far for the Rhinos but fans will take solace in the progress that the club made in such a sport space of time under Rohan Smith.

The personnel in the Leeds squad didn't change much between the two coaches, although Zak Hardaker did return to Headingley mid-season after exiting Wigan, and Alex Mellor left for Castleford.

Injuries limited the impact of Harry Newman among others, while suspensions were a major issue for much of the season, the Rhinos picking up more bans than any other club.

But among the pillars of consistency were Mikolaj Oledzki, who had a towering campaign at prop and deservedly earned selection for the Dream Team, making more metres than any other front rower in the competition.

Congratulations to @mik_oledzki on being named in the @SuperLeague Dream Team pic.twitter.com/LOb4zU1siz
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) September 4, 2022

Winger Ash Handley topped that category overall in Super League to go alongside being leading try scorer for the Rhinos, while back rower Martin was outstanding both on the edges and off the kicking tee.

Richie Myler continued to be an integral part of the side whether featuring at full-back or in the halves, while Cameron Smith became an increasingly influential figure as the season unfolded.

What will also encourage coach Smith hugely is the continuing production line of young talent coming through the club, headed by back rower Morgan Gannon, now an established Super League player while still in his teenage years.

Jack Sinfield, Max Simpson and Liam Tindall all gained exposure at the top level, boding well for the next phase in the club's history.

Key men

Impossible to split Mikolaj Oledzki and Ash Handley, who both excelled whether the Rhinos were battling at the bottom or mounting a Grand Final push. Both players ate up the yards all season, often with the toughest carries at their own end of the field.

Ash Handley recorded the fastest speed of the day of 36 KM/H in this try-saving tackle ? The 2nd fastest of the season so far ?#SuperLeague #SLLeeCas pic.twitter.com/56DpfYHU1f
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 9, 2022

Handley's finishing and Oledzki's physical presence were both key factors in the team being able to turnaround their disappointing start to the year.

Rising star

Morgan Gannon just gets better and better in the Leeds back row. Still, somehow, only 18, he is now one of the competition?s most damaging wide runners, and touched down six times during the course of the season. If his rate of improvement continues at current levels, it should only be a matter of time before international recognition follows.

Season highlight

Blake Austin's late winner at home to Huddersfield in Round 25 comes close, taking the roof off the South Stand on a thrilling night. But even that couldn't top Aidan Sezer's late clincher against Castleford two weeks later, securing fifth spot for Smith's side after it had looked at one point like they could be pipped by the Tigers at the final hurdle.