Rohan Smith felt he had unfinished business in the UK - and Leeds’ surprise Super League Grand Final ride is just the beginning of him sorting it out.
Rhinos face champions St Helens in Saturday’s showpiece following a remarkable run. They were down in 11th spot at Easter but, after Aussie Smith arrived in May, turned things around to sneak into fifth. Leeds have then won on the road at Catalans and Wigan to reach Old Trafford and look a different side to the one that was on its knees just four months ago.
Many Rhinos fans were nonplussed by the little-known Smith’s appointment given he had never held a top-flight head coach’s role. But his impact has been huge in his second stab over here. Smith’s first gig in the UK was with Bradford in 2016 but he headed home the following year when the troubled Championship club entered liquidation.
Looking back, he said: “I do feel like I had unfinished business. When we came to Bradford we packed up and came with the intention of no plan to go home in any sort of time frame. That went bad pretty quickly through no fault of probably any one individual .
“But even in 2017, not long after I’d gone home, I was always keeping an eye out for opportunities back in the UK. I love the passion and the desire that people have for their club. It’s so much deeper and wider spread than it is in Australia. It’s just not the same.
"What I've always loved about sport is being part of something with other people and the influence it can have on the community and next generation. It’s special here and things have started to line up for us. It’s exciting going into Saturday.”
But Leeds must face Saints - who are bidding for a record-breaking fourth straight Grand Final win - without chief playmaker Aidan Sezer. The Australian scrum-half came off in Friday’s semi-final win at Wigan following a high tackle from John Bateman that saw the England second-row red carded. Leeds had hoped he would be cleared to play but Smith said: “Our doctor’s been in conversation with the Super League chief medical officer and Aidan won't be available.
"I believe the category one symptoms are the determining factor in terms of returning to play, whether that be in the game or the following week. He's shattered. He's clearly disappointed to be missing out but such are the protocols that are in place to take care of the welfare of our players long term."
Asked if it was galling considering the concussion came from foul play, Smith said: “It’s a part of the game unfortunately. Sometimes people will wear the consequences of accidents. I know those guys played together at Canberra so I’m sure there’s nothing untoward. It’s tough but one of those things.”
Leeds will also be without second-row Morgan Gannon due to concussion while star centre Harry Newman is out with an ongoing hamstring issue which has also ended his World Cup hopes with England.
