Rohan Smith insisted Kruise Leeming's impending exit from the club was being dealt with as he commented on reports of his departure. Rugby League Live revealed in the build-up to Leeds' clash with Castleford that Leeming had been granted permission to leave the club, with the former captain not named in the squad to face the Tigers.
Leeming, whose next move is not yet know, is understood to have had a request to pursue other opportunities granted earlier in the week. However, Smith insisted he had not been at the heart of those discussions. Inevitably, he was questioned on the reports ahead of the Rhinos' clash with Castleford Tigers on Sky Sports, in which he gave a short response.
"I've left all that stuff with Gary (Hetherington) this week," Smith said. "We've had a short turnaround and all focus has been on Cas."
Read more: Leeds Rhinos supporters split on Kruise Leeming departure as exit looms
He is likely to be questioned further on the matter in his post-match press conference, with Leeming's exit emerging as one of the big stories of the season so far.
In his absence, Jarrod O'Connor started at hooker for a third week running. Corey Johnson was named as 18th man for the game. The young dummy half has just recovered from back surgery.
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