Rohan Smith has eased expectations surrounding new signing Leon Ruan following an impressive debut for Leeds Rhinos. The teenage back-rower stood out in the defeat to Wakefield Trinity, creating one of the Rhinos' second-half tries.
Ruan, who was nominated for League 1 young player of the year in 2022, has arrived at the club from Doncaster. He wasted little time setting his stall out, with his impressive line break and pass creating Kruise Leeming's try in the second half.
Smith was impressed with his new recruit but suggested that regular first-team action was still some way off for the 19-year-old. "Leon found out what it's like playing against some Super League experience," Smith said.
Read more: Key Leeds Rhinos talking points after Boxing Day defeat to Wakefield Trinity
"I don't know who finished the game there but at various times they were very experienced which was fantastic for players like Leon, to get that experience against well-credentialed opposition. Leon did some nice things, he's just learning his way. He's on a three-year deal and really if he's a regular Super League player before the third year that will be a bonus. He's a project, but he did OK."
One youngster who didn't feature with Jack Sinfield, with the halfback left out of the Boxing Day loss. When asked, Smith explained: "Jack had a groin issue a few weeks ago that held him out of training for ten or twelve days and he also had an illness off the back of that. He's sort of back to full-time training nearly but for an 18-year-old kid I wasn't willing to throw him out there."
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