Leeds face St Helens at Old Trafford after unlikely resurgence under an unheralded member of a coaching dynasty
But how he and his players have reached this point is anything but a repeat of history. When Smith was prised away from Norths Devils , the Rhinos were more likely to be relegated than win a record-extending ninth Super League Grand Final. They were a point clear of the league’s bottom side, Toulouse, and Leeds made it abundantly clear their gamble on a coach who had never taken charge of a game at the highest level was viewed as a long-term appointment.
Even the players Smith has dragged close to the most remarkable title success in the modern era say they could not have seen this coming. “It wasn’t a happy place,” says Donaldson. “We weren’t enjoying our rugby, we didn’t feel together and then the club appoints a coach you don’t really know anything about. But after the first week with us, he blew everyone’s mind.”
“I spoke to people who knew him and they explained about his coaching style being a real breath of fresh air,” says Leeds’ Zak Hardaker. “A change to what they’d been used to. Different is somewhat of an understatement. Smith’s only other senior coaching role of note was a spell in charge of Bradford Bulls in the Championship in 2017, which ultimately ended with him losing his job – not due to poor performance, but because the club was liquidated. Those who worked with him during that time recall being enamoured by Smith’s desire to do things differently.The club’s training ground had reading and relaxing rooms installed.
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