Leeds Rhinos suffered their latest defeat of an increasingly desperate campaign at Castleford Tigers on Easter Monday. Interim head coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan oversaw his third loss from four games as the eight-time Grand Final winners were defeated 16-14.
It was their seventh loss from nine Super League games this season and came at the start of a week when a new head coach is expected to be appointed. Here, Rugby League Live assesses the talking points surrounding the Rhinos following the Wheldon Road reverse.
Losing has become a habit for Leeds
Much was made of the performance at Castleford by interim head coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan, but the fact is that Leeds lost. Again. Coming off second-best has been a theme of the Rhinos’ campaign, prompting Richard Agar to throw in the towel last month.
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True, there were plenty of signs of life against Castleford, but Jones-Buchanan has had four games in charge and has failed to conjure a winning formula. Chief executive Gary Hetherington could have appointed Jones-Buchanan or the more experienced Sean Long in the top job.
Instead, it appears he has decided against doing so with a new man set to be brought in from the outside. What should also not be overlooked is that, despite signing Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin during the winter, Leeds currently have the worst attack in Super League.
In nine games, the Rhinos have amassed just 124 points – the lowest tally in the competition and an average of less than 14 points per game. Discipline also remains an issue, particularly for James Bentley, whose second-half sinbinning cost his team dear at Castleford.
Teenage debutants give cause for optimism
The vaunted Leeds academy continues to produce plenty of homegrown talent and 17-year-olds Jack Sinfield and Max Simpson made their bow against Castleford. In front of his legendary father Kevin, who captained the Rhinos to seven Super League titles, Jack Sinfield played the full 80 minutes in the halves and showed glimpses of his undoubted ability.
His probing kick created Rhyse Martin’s first try and he certainly grew into the contest as the game wore on. Simpson showed up well at right centre too, suggesting he could also be capable of playing at the highest level more regularly in the coming weeks.
Jones-Buchanan said of Sinfield junior: “I thought he was exceptional for 80 minutes. He played a big part in that first half try and came up with some real nice moments. His game will get perfected in seasons to come and, God willing, like his dad, he will lift lots of trophies.
“We understand his pedigree and he's an unbelievable professional. Some of our older players can learn something from Jack. He's very much in his dad's image but at the same time he's his own man.”
The likes of Morgan Gannon and Jarrod O'Connor also showed up well.
New head coach close to being confirmed
Cut Jamie Jones-Buchanan open and he bleeds blue and amber. That cannot be denied. But it appears that Gary Hetherington is set to appoint a new man, with Jones-Buchanan saying he expects that to materialise this week. Ahead of a crunch home game with Toulouse Olympique on Friday, Jones-Buchanan was asked if he expected to still be in charge then.
“Reading between the lines, no,” said the 40-year-old. “That might be somebody else’s decision anyway, but listening to some of the questions I’ve been asked and with Gary meeting me tomorrow, I’ll have a chat with him and see what that looks like.
“I’ve no idea, but until then I’ll go home and review the game and plan as if we’ve got a game to prepare for on Friday. Then, as and when somebody comes in and does the job, I’ll do my best to support them.”
Toulouse game has taken on huge significance
The general consensus throughout the game is that Leeds are too good to go down. At times this season, though, they have looked too bad to stay up.
Should the Rhinos lose at home to Toulouse on Friday then doubts - big doubts - would definitely creep in. The French side remain bottom of the table after their close-fought loss to Hull KR on Easter Monday.
Yet Sylvain Houles’ men are not proving to be whipping boys and they may fancy their chances at Headingley. Defeat is unthinkable for the Rhinos, but it that happens then the prospect of relegation will become a realistically grim one. If Leeds cannot beat Toulouse at home, can they really consider themselves ready to start climbing the table?
