Jack Broadbent believes home comforts can help Leeds Rhinos kickstart the Rohan Smith era at the second time of asking. The Rhinos lost at Salford Red Devils in disappointing fashion on Sunday in Smith’s first game in charge.
Yet a five-day turnaround sees Leeds host Wakefield Trinity at Headingley on Friday and Broadbent is confident they can fashion the right response. Before losing at Salford, the Rhinos had beaten Toulouse Olympique and Hull Kingston Rovers in successive home games.
Broadbent, who has played in Leeds’ last three games, told Rugby League Live: “Rohan has brought his new ideas in and it's going to take some time to get playing that way.
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“There were obviously some teething problems at the weekend, not due to anything he's brought in but it just wasn't the team performance we were after. It will be good to put in a good team performance and see how his structures work.
“It's been a really positive start and I think we can see a way forward from this. Rohan has his way of playing and his values, so he's trying to implement that and get us playing his style. Every coach wants to do that and things have changed from an attacking and defensive perspective.
“It's nothing that we can't overcome and get used to. When we do, I think it'll be really exciting to see. Rohan wants us to take our opportunities and I think we know we have good players, so he just wants us to use the skills we have.
“It's little things like catch and pass. He wants to give us the freedom to use the ball to get to areas of field we need to.”
Looking ahead to Wakefield’s visit, Broadbent added: “I think it helps having a short turnaround because we can fix it on the field on Friday.
“You don't want to dwell on a defeat, you just want to put things right and there is no better way than a home game at Headingley on a Friday night. We'll all be raring to go on Friday and looking to continue our home form.
“Who knows where we can go? It's one game at a time and we're putting everything into each game to get the win. Wherever we are at the end of the year then we will see.
“But obviously the play-offs would be great for the club. It's where we should be. Headingley is unbelievable and we're lucky to have it as our own ground.
“We loved the playing there and hopefully we can get the result on Friday.”
Broadbent was disappointed with his performance at Salford but is hoping to keep his place in the side and believes he can learn from Zak Hardaker.
He said: “You're only as good as your last game and I think I had a pretty poor game at Salford. There are some key areas I need to improve on but the two previous games gave me a lot of confidence, so I know where I can be.
“It's just about keeping that consistency in the game because it's no good having two good performances and then not performing to the same standards. Hopefully I'll get back out there on Friday and return to winning ways after a quick turnaround.
“Having Zak at the club has been good. Last week at training, he had a positive start. He pulled me one day and said if I ever needed anything from him in terms of tips or advice then to give him a shout. I was really grateful for that and hopefully he can keep going well.”
Broadbent is off-contract at the end of the season and added: “I'm just unsure on my future at the moment.
“I don't really know what I'm doing next year. That's probably where I'm at right now.”
