Rhinos need a quick fix

ROHAN SMITH accepts his Leeds side “need to get better quickly” ahead of Thursday’s derby at rivals Castleford.

The Rhinos were dumped out of the Challenge Cup after St Helens won at Headingley for the second week running to leave supporters fearing another season of failure.

Leeds lost to Saints in Super League and then fell at the first hurdle in the cup to them for the fourth successive season.

A lavish close-season recruitment drive, which included former Man of Steel Brodie Croft, was supposed to make the Rhinos challengers again.

But with their campaign in danger of falling flat, this week’s derby trip has taken on added importance.

Aussie head coach Smith (above), who failed to steer Leeds into the play-offs last season, said: “We’re a work-in-progress as a team unit and we need to get better quickly.

“We haven’t been too far away, even against some of the better teams. We haven’t played at the level we know we can, but we’ve competed.

“There has been a lot more to like than dislike this year. We’ve shown that our best footy is better than it was last year.

“Outside beliefs and expectations are out of our control and are not something I give any attention to.”

One of Smith’s winter recruits – Aussie playmaker Matt Frawley – came in for fierce criticism for his performance in last week’s defeat to Saints. But he will continue his halfback partnership with Croft against Castleford, despite calls from some Rhinos fans for Smith to hand 19-year-old Jack Sinfield his first appearance of 2024.

Asked if he was considering a change, Smith added: “Not at all. We’re committed to the players we’ve got in the spine in our team.”

St Helens star James Bell will miss the Good Friday derby against Wigan after a one-match ban for dangerous contact during the Challenge Cup tie.